Napa Independent Producer's Showcase (Mending Wall, Cornell, O'Shaughnessy, MTGA, Tate, Arietta)
Atlanta, GA
Tasted Wednesday, November 13, 2024 by HeavyPourWine with 253 views
Introduction
When Erin Scally's text arrived in October inviting me to the Napa Independent Producer's Showcase at Terminus 330, the opportunity to sample wines from six family-owned boutique Napa producers and mingle with their reps was irresistible. I'd already visited Mending Wall during our Atlanta High Museum Wine Auction cultivation trip (and enjoyed getting to know their famed winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown), so reconnecting with their rep Erin while discovering five more standout producers I'd never investigated before was a real treat. In addition to Mending Wall, Cornell Vineyards, O'Shaughnessy, MTGA Wines, Tate, and Arietta collectively promised an extraordinary evening. The Terminus 330 building, originally built in 1912 for the Maddox Coffee Company (an Atlanta firm) provided just the right setting for this event, with its restored hardwood floors, exposed brick walls and industrial charm.
You can read my full blog post "Six California Winemakers Take Atlanta by Storm," including detailed interviews with the visiting representatives and the stories behind each producer, at heavypourwine.com.
Flight 1 - Mending Wall (5 Notes)
Flight 2 - Cornell Vineyards (4 Notes)
Flight 3 - O'Shaughnessy (4 Notes)
Flight 4 - MTGA (3 Notes)
Flight 5 - Tate (4 Notes)
Flight 6 - Arietta (2 Notes)
Closing
This exceptional showcase highlighted three standout discoveries that particularly impressed me: the 2017 MTGA Merlot demonstrated why Mike Anderson's dedication to this often-overlooked varietal produces such compelling results, the 2022 Tate Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder surprised with its accessibility and balance at an attractive price point, and the 2018 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Del Oso Vineyard Block 13 showcased the potential of Howell Mountain's oldest, lowest-yielding vines. Beyond the exceptional wines, the genuine camaraderie among these producers was evident throughout the evening - they truly function as a wine family, bringing their passion and expertise directly to Atlanta's wine lovers. The detailed conversations about winemaking philosophies, vineyard sources, and technical aspects made this showcase memorable beyond just the outstanding bottles, demonstrating how small producers' dedication to their craft creates both exceptional wines and educational experiences.
2022 Mending Wall Stone on Stone 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted at "Napa Independent Producer's Showcase" at Terminus 330.
According to Erin, this is 80% Sauv Blanc, 20% Semilion. They want the Sav Blanc to really carry through as minerality. Stone fruit. The Semilion adds a bit more texture and a little bit of viscosity so it actually lingers. It kind of coats your palette a little bit more than a normal Sav Blanc. This should be really nice if you're eating anything with a little bit of spice to it. A little more serious than a typical "porch pounder" Sav Blanc. It's the only white MW makes and that's because Thomas Rivers Brown personally loves white wine. He is known for making Cabernet but loves to drink Champagne and white at the end of the day. So he made this more for himself - but we get to enjoy it! Fruit is all Northern Valley fruit: One block of Sav Blanc from MW's estate vineyard. The rest of the Sav Blanc and Semilion comes from the Tofanelli Vineyard in Calistoga.
Only thing I'll add: It was delicious and refreshing and a nice wine to kick off the tasting!
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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2022 Mending Wall Mortar & Stone 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted at "Napa Independent Producer's Showcase" at Terminus 330.
According to Erin, this wine is a really unusual field blend from Napa. 70% Zinfandel, which gives it the aromatics - it's really luscious on the nose. The color of the wine (dark and inky) comes from the 20% Petite Sirah. And then an "unusual" 10% Charbono from 90+ year old vines of the Tofanelli vineyard. That vineyard produces very high quality grapes from dry-farmed, head-trained vines. A fun wine you don't need to age. One you keep at the front of your cellar. This is "weekday night with a pizza" kind of wine. 2022 was a warmer growing season, so they had riper fruit - which translates into softer tannins.
My notes: This bottle had been opened an hour. Dark fruit, super open, balanced.
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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2022 Mending Wall Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted at "Napa Independent Producer's Showcase" at Terminus 330.
Erin indicated that this is a blend of two vineyards in St. Helena that are a half a mile apart: The first is Mending Wall's estate vineyard and the other is the Tournahu vineyard. Very red fruit driven and really ripe soft fruit. Picked early so it wouldn't get too high in sugar - as that turns into high alcohol. The tannins are already integrated. Velvety wine. Tannins are there but without a "stripping effect." This wine doesn't need a fatty steak or something because it's already pretty plush. So, if you love Cabernet and you don't need a big steak with it, this is for you. In barrel 22 months. Regardless, it's very open. Not a lot of manipulation with the wine, either.
TN: Opened an hour before tasting. Agree with the fruit profile she described.
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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2022 Mending Wall Cabernet Sauvignon Godward Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted at "Napa Independent Producer's Showcase" at Terminus 330.
Erin said the fruit in this wine was originally blended into BV's Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet. However, after BV was purchased by Constellation a few years ago, Constellation stopped buying fruit from this vineyard which is only about seven to ten acres - and it's really great fruit. It sits right between Staglin and Scarecrow on the Western Rutherford bench. The family that owns the vineyard knows Thomas very well, and said, "If you're interested, you're my first call. If not, I'm going to put this fruit out there." Thomas responded, "Well, as long as you're not pranking me, absolutely, I want this." So, they brought it into their portfolio and started making a single vineyard Cabernet. It's very different from their other Cabs, but equally gorgeous. It's more cellar-worthy and has a bit more structure. Also, higher acidity and tannin.
Agree that it's higher tannin and more structured.
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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2021 Mending Wall Cabernet Franc Oakville Ranch 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Tasted at "Napa Independent Producer's Showcase" at Terminus 330.
According to Erin, this was made for one year only. They always make an Oakville Ranch Cab. Two weeks before harvest, the contract fell through on the block right next to theirs, so it was offered to them for just that year (and wouldn't be available again to them the following year). So, they bought and made this wine. 85% cab franc 15% cab from the Oakville Ranch Vineyard. The vineyard is high in elevation in the fog line. Only 75 cases made.
Nice showing this time around.
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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