With a total production of only 228 cases, the 2016 Russian River Valley (Old Wente clone) Chardonnay comes off with another hedonistic style, with big boldness, and Cabernet-lover’s delight. Similar to previous vintages, it is still unfined, unfiltered, and using native yeast, but the difference is that in this vintage, Ralph Hertelendy brought Phillip Corallo-Titus (winemaker at Chappellet and Titus) into the Chardonnay program (you’ll notice that both Phillip’s and Ralph’s signatures are now on the back label). Phillip brought that modern Napa style into this process and introduced a brighter acidity and different style of complexity than Ralph had in year’s past.
The elegant 2016 Signature Mountain Blend hails from highly-esteemed volcanic Napa areas such as Pritchard Hill, Howell Mountain, Atlas Peak. It’s the closest wine in the Hertelendy program that could be called an “Estate wine” with most of the blend coming from Rockwell Ridge Estate vineyard located 35 feet below the Howell Mountain AVA. Dubbed by many over the years as “The Petrus of Napa Valley”, this wine recently won GOLD AT TEXSOM for the first time — arguably the most prestigious wine competition in the country featuring 19 Master Sommeliers and 16 Masters of Wine on their judging panel
With only 239 cases produced, the 2017 Russian River Valley Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay may just be the best Chardonnay produced to date. Being the second Chardonnay vintage that Phillip Corallo-Titus worked on with Ralph, there’s more acidity and balance than in previous vintages. Robert Parker’s Erin Brooks described this vintage as having a “softly, savory character” and a “long, juicy finish”. Jeb Dunnuck mentions that this wine reminds him of an old Meursault: “it’s full-bodied, ripe, and opulent, yet has good acidity.” This is a delicious wine that showcases more sophisticated restraint than previous vintages while carrying the typical elegant style you’ve grown to love. Be sure to chill it down until the lions change color, and then you’ll know you’re at the proper serving temperature!
The 2017 Signature Mountain Blend is once again a delectable representation of what our Estate Rockwell Ridge Vineyard (blended with Howell Mountain, Pritchard Hill, & Atlas Peak fruit) can produce, making this wine very near and dear to our hearts. This limited case produced wine holds its own on the Hertelendy line up. Claimed by the critics as a “beautiful wine that “...explodes from the glass”. It’s the closest wine in our program that could be called an “Estate wine” with most of the blend coming from our very own Rockwell Ridge estate vineyard located 35 feet below the Howell Mountain AVA. Dubbed by many over the years as “The Petrus of Napa Valley”, we are thrilled to get this wine from our Estate to yours.
The pristine Sleeping Lady Vineyard sits beautifully manicured beneath the Mayacamas foothills in Yountville. For five generations the fruit from this vineyard was sold to larger wineries, but when the Bettinelli family recently took over the property that changed. Today, Sleeping Lady is one of California’s “grand cru” vineyards and Julien believes it represents the future of Napa Valley.
A beautiful expression of its terroir, this wine is earthy--like a warm summer day atop Pritchard Hill. Notes of dark chocolate, clove and baking spices, rise from the glass. Fennel and black spices can also be noticed. The struggle of the mountain vines throughout the growing season yields a rewarding long finish.
A bounty of red and black fruits--fresh raspberries and blackberries--leap from the glass enticing a quick return for more aromas of brambly berries and clove. The fruit-driven nose is met with a velvety smooth palate. Just as the vineyard suggests, this wine will age gracefully with a decade or two of slumber in the cellar.
The Martinez Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a dynamic example of high-elevation Pritchard Hill mountain terroir. Full and sleek in the mouth, it shines with wonderfully sweet berries and red fruit balanced by firm structure and agile acidity.
Focused mountain fruit brings brushed silk tannins infused with minerality, warm cedar and allspice for a delicious journey of satisfying textures and aromas. Bold, bright, confident and charismatic, with an extra-long and refreshing finish
This is a wine of magnificent power, crafted from multiple hillside vineyards spanning Napa Valley from North to South. The mountain fruit delivers a full-body wine with noticeable tannins and acidity. It is an approachable companion for weeknight dinners, but also possesses the structure needed to age in the cellar.
The Sleeping Lady Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon springs from an ancient riverbed site in what is now the Yountville bench lands. The high-toned purple fruit core of this wine beams with a sleek, coiled energy. Cool gravel top notes and burnt caramel add a darker dimension, and soft, slippery tannins glide in perpetual motion without losing their firm grip and support. Light-footed, playful acidity balances the dark intensity to deliver a complete and very serious Cabernet.
"The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Sleeping Lady Vineyard is an absolutely stunning wine. Over the last few years, I have written that the wines off this Yountville site have exploded in quality. Julien Fayard's 2018 is a great example of that. A Cabernet of mind-blowing intensity and purity, the 2018 dazzles from start to finish. Inky red fruit, raspberry jam, mocha, spice and rose petal build in the glass, framed by the silkiest tannins imaginable. It's simply the greatest wine I have ever tased from Julien Fayard and one of the wines of the year. Wow!!" - Antonio Galloni, 100 points
The 2018 Sumo is a show-stopper. Aromas of ink, mixed berry cobbler, resin, lilies, carob, asphalt, boysenberry, blueberry, black peppercorn. The ultra silky, mouth-filling palate is broad and plush, with sweet blue and black fruit, savory black peppercorn, flowers, tar, and graphite persisting through the very end of the super-long finish.
This Rose' is a blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon from our vineyard on Howell Mountain and 2% Refosco. This blend is a creation of flavors of pomegranate, strawberry and cranberry. The fully bodied Rose' has a great finish with bright acidity and a hint of tannins.
