Pellet Estate 93 Point Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon // Set of 2

Pellet Estate® is a rare, authentically-grown, and classically-made wine. The Estate is a spectacular vineyard site in the small town of St. Helena, with a rich history dating back to 1859. Henry Pellet, one of the founding pioneers of Napa Valley winemaking, first planted this site with a vision of producing wines that would be among the best in the world. The flagship wine for Pellet Estate is the Cabernet Sauvignon from the Pellet Vineyard®, a blend of about 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance being Merlot and Petit Verdot.

Their flagship wine is the genesis of what most great undertakings are – passion, and commitment to excellence. As in Bordeaux, their wine is crafted by blending Cabernet Sauvignon with their other classic Bordeaux varietals, Merlot and Petit Verdot.

The allegorical image on the label symbolizes the achievements and contributions of Henry Pellet's rich pioneering history in viticulture experimentation and education, and his highly-acclaimed winemaking acumen in the fledgling days of our industry. Pellet basically presented Napa Valley wine to the world, in the best light possible. Artist Walter Shirlaw, from the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, created an original work titled "Electricity Presenting Light To The World" or "Electricity as the Dominant Force in the World," which was used as the central image on the 1896 Educational Series $5.00 Silver Certificate. Hailed at the time as a remarkable blend of legend, patriotism and beauty, this note is still widely regarded to be the most beautiful currency in U.S. history.

From a heritage site planted originally in 1859, this 2012 Pellet Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was made by Nils Venge and contains mostly Cabernet, with a small handful of Merlot and an even smaller pinch of Petit Verdot. Soft yet structured, it’s layered in leathery dark-chocolate and black-fig tones, with juicy components of blackberry and cassis. It should age through 2022.

2012 was a blockbuster near-perfect vintage year, yielding a crop of spectacular fruit that produced a high-structure wine, and should stand out for decades to come. Summer and fall had warm temperatures, but no notable heat waves, which in turn permitted the grapes to reach a very even ripeness. Pellet picked the Cabernet over three days under truly the most ideal conditions in mid-October, and expect 2012 will turn out to be a new pinnacle for this Estate.

Critics of note:

92 Points by Anthony Dias Blue, The Tasting Panel: “Deep, dark and juicy with firm structure and bright blackberry; rich, balanced and supple with spice and finesse.”

91 Points, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate: "The beautiful 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Pellet Vineyard exhibits lots of blackberry and blueberry fruit, supple tannins, excellent purity and outstanding depth and texture. This is an elegant, medium-bodied wine that can be drunk now or cellared for 10-15 years."

90 Points, James Laube, Wine Spectator: "Tight and structured, with a firm core of dark berry, sage, mineral and cedary oak, ending with gripping tannins and an aftertaste of loamy earth. Drink now through 2026."

Also awarded 93 Points by Wine Enthusiast.