Region: Napa Valley, California

Vintage: 2014

Composition: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec

History: Cappella is one of the oldest vineyards in Saint Helena. Six acres adjoining a Catholic cemetery on the city’s west side, it was first planted in 1869. In the 1980s, the church asked David to uproot old vines, then watched as the land remained fallow for almost two decades. When he finally got a chance to replant, he jumped. He had tasted Cappella fruit in the 70’s. He knew what kind of wine he could make. But that first replanting was unlucky thanks to a sick rootstock, and once again it was uprooting vines. “It took us six years before we had a harvest. We could have ignored it, ripped off the vines one by one as they toppled over. But then we would have all these different ripening patterns, which would affect consistency. It was an easy decision.”

Tasting Notes:

“Deep garnet purple in color, the Cappella has gregarious aromas of blueberry compote, preserved plums and blackberries with a beautiful exotic undercurrent of spices of star anise, cassia and cardamom with hints of cigar box and smoked meats. it is full-bodied, firm and grainy with a gorgeous core of generous black fruit preserves and plenty of spicy accents, with a long, layered finish.” – Robert Parker Jr.

Acclamation: 96pts Robert Parker