Maldonado Family Vineyards Napa Valley Red Blend 2018

The family's well known Los Olivos Vineyard is a 10-acre rectangle, planted in the dark, gravelly clay characteristic of Carneros and surrounding areas whose soil originated in the ancient reaches of the San Pablo Bay. Here you will find the famed Chardonnay of which Hugo Maldonado produced his first wine from, as well as Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Syrah.

The Los Olivos planting is dense, with the cordons close to the soil for warmth; a high canopy to catch as much of the sun as possible in this cool, misty canyon. The vines are planted in meter by meter spacing; they are so stressed by their density that each vine produces only a few clusters, each with intense in flavor. A tiny half-acre sized 'secret garden' can be found beyond a seasonal creek that marks the southern border for the vineyard.

Just minutes south of the Maldonado Winery and caves ,in Calistoga, is a newer planting of Cabernet Sauvignon. Calistoga is the perfect AVA for growing this hearty red grape. The Vineyard (Lovingly referred to as 'Hawk's Nest' ) has begun producing beautiful fruit from the 4 acre hillside planting.

Wine Notes
Concentrated layers of smoky barrel spice, lavender, black tea, fig and dark fruit emerge. Black Plum, Cocoa nib, wet slate and anise seed propel this decadent blend to a sophisticated and rich finish. A perfect balance between light and dark; portraying its youthful, playful side, but also its ultimate aging potential.

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Syrah. 760 cases in production