PlumpJack - Merlot, Napa Valley, USA (2021)

TASTING NOTES

Complex and layered. The nose leads with cherry, raspberry, and boysenberry, followed by sweet earth, green pepper and dried herbs. The oak barrels bring depth to the nose by infusing notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, pie crust, vanilla, caramel, and hickory. Silky texture, firm yet plush tannin, and lively acidity. This wine has great length and finishes with an impression of espresso and baker’s chocolate.

Coming from two sites (Oak Knoll and Carneros), t

Based on a mutual love and passion for wine, partners Gavin Newsom and Gordon Getty opened a humble wine store in the Fillmore neighbourhood of San Francisco with a mission of creating an approachable environment for people to learn about and purchase wine. The partners were inspired by one of Shakespeare’s most memorable characters, Sir John ‘PlumpJack’ Falstaff, a down-to-earth, fun-loving, irreverent character, rivalled only by his fierce loyalty to Prince Hal (Henry V) with whom he shares more than a few goblets of sack (wine). With this philosophy in mind, they purchased a century old, 42-acre vineyard on the Oakville Crossroad in 1995, the former Mount Eden winery. They set about crafting high-quality wines that honoured the land with an inviting and approachable styIe. In 1998, they hired long-time wine industry executive, John Conover to provide strategic direction for the property, vineyards, and production facility. (John would become their partner in establishing sister wineries, Cade and Odette).

In 2000, during the growing epidemic of cork taint (TCA), PlumpJack Estate Winery would forever change the wine world. Not wishing to have their wines spoiled they took the radical decision to produce ½ the production of their top wine, 1997 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon under screw cap closure. This made a huge statement in their commitment to quality and played nicely to their spirit of approachability. Today, winemaker Aaron Miller, and his team, continue the winemaking heritage by producing elegant wines that pay tribute to the Oakville estate vineyard. In 2016, his team were honoured with a perfect 100 points from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate for their 2013 PlumpJack Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, only the 2^nd time in history that a wine under screw cap closure received this award.

Aaron discovered wine while earning his Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behaviour at UC Davis. After a couple of internships in the Napa Valley and San Luis Obispo, Aaron returned to UC Davis to earn his Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology. After stints abroad in Italy and New Zealand, Aaron returned home, moved to Lewis Cellars where he held the position of Assistant Winemaker. In 2012, Aaron became head winemaker at PlumpJack Winery where he is dedicated to crafting Oakville cabernet sauvignon that showcases the terroir of the estate.

The diverse soil profile at PlumpJack estate allows for the crafting of wines that are complex and dynamic, rich and concentrated, yet fresh and elegant. The estate sits in the heart of California’s most prestigious Cabernet appellation; considered some of the finest vineyard land in California. Esteemed neighbours include Groth, Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Opus One, Rudd and Harlan.