Full Circle: Vida Valiente Complete Portfolio Tasting

My connection with Vida Valiente came full circle during my Napa Valley weekend. I first met Jess at a charity event in Atlanta where I had the opportunity to taste one of their wines (The Movement). When I mentioned to her that I'd be visiting Napa for the Arrow&Branch investor events, she graciously extended an invitation to experience their complete portfolio. After attending Arrow&Branch's "Sip and Savor" event that Sunday morning, I made my way to Vida Valiente for what would be my final tasting of an incredible weekend before heading back to Atlanta. The timing couldn't have been more perfect - a chance to explore the full range of wines from this purpose-driven winery that embodies "vida valiente" - a strong, bold life lived with intention.

• NV Champagne Paul Launois Composition 90 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Vida Valiente portfolio tasting in Napa Valley. Served as the welcome pour to begin our exploration of the complete Vida Valiente collection. This classic Champagne provided an elegant opening to the afternoon, displaying fine bubbles and clean, crisp characteristics. A lovely way to prepare the palate for the serious Cabernet Sauvignons that would follow. The quality and attention to detail in this selection set the tone for what would be an exceptional tasting experience.
  
  Brad - heavypourwine.com

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• 2021 Vida Valiente Cabernet Sauvignon The Movement 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  Vida Valiente portfolio tasting in Napa Valley. Jess explained that "The Movement" represents Sam Kaplan's most intentional blend, crafted first before any single vineyard bottlings - the exact opposite approach of many Napa producers who blend leftover wines. This sophisticated blend includes fruit from Beckstoffer To Kalon in Oakville, High Ranch vineyard in Coombsville, and sites in St. Helena, creating layers and depth across multiple AVAs. Sam's ability to secure To Kalon fruit for a blend impressed me, given Andy Beckstoffer's typical reluctance to allow vineyard blending. Open for two hours before serving. Dark fruit characteristics with complex aromatics and medium tannins. More fruit-forward than expected, with less tannic grip than anticipated. Sam's expertise with tannin integration using 100% new French oak on younger vines was evident in the wine's approachable nature despite its youth.
  
  Brad - heavypourwine.com

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• 2021 Vida Valiente Cabernet Sauvignon High Ranch 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Coombsville

  Vida Valiente portfolio tasting in Napa Valley. Sourced from the Gutterson family's vineyard in Coombsville, Napa's southernmost AVA, which benefits from cooling coastal influence and morning fog from San Pablo and San Francisco bays. Jess described this as the most elegant wine in the lineup, noting that locals love Coombsville wines while visitors often overlook this "hidden gem" AVA. The sloped vineyard and cool site contribute to high acidity and freshness, while Coombsville's reputation for dark black fruit and voluptuous texture shines through. Open for two hours before serving. More elegant than The Movement with beautiful blue fruit characteristics and refined texture. The wine displays excellent lift from the vineyard's rocky, well-draining soils, though I found it my least favorite of the collection - perhaps a matter of personal preference rather than quality. (It says a lot about the quality of the lineup when my "least favorite" in the lineup is a 93-pointer!)
  
  Brad - heavypourwine.com

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• 2022 Vida Valiente Cabernet Sauvignon Graveside 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  Vida Valiente portfolio tasting in Napa Valley. Named "Graveside" to encourage reflection on how you want to be remembered and whether you're living accordingly - a deep philosophical concept from Hayes Drumwright. Located in St. Helena next to prestigious sites like Beckstoffer Las Piedras and Abreu's Capella vineyard. Those familiar with Las Piedras' elegant style gravitate toward this wine for similar characteristics. Open for two hours before serving. Raw chocolate dominates the nose, which I found more enjoyable than the previous wines. Jess described earthiness, minerality, and tobacco leaf qualities - like smelling a high-quality cigar before smoking it. The loose, rocky soil provides excellent drainage, contributing to the wine's distinctive lift and airiness on the finish. From the challenging 2022 vintage when temperatures reached 117°F, though Sam's early picking preserved crucial acidity. I preferred this over the High Ranch for its uniqueness and complexity, compelling enough that I purchased several bottles for my cellar.
  
  Brad - heavypourwine.com

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• 2022 Vida Valiente Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Vida Valiente portfolio tasting in Napa Valley. From the legendary To Kalon vineyard, continuously farmed since 1868, representing "Napa Valley's history in a glass" as Jess described it. Some spice characteristics on the nose lead to dark fruit aromatics with medium-high tannins. The distinctive "That's TK!" character was immediately recognizable - showcasing the unique terroir that has made this site famous for over 150 years. This became my favorite wine of the initial tasting flight. The wine demonstrated why To Kalon commands such respect, even from a challenging vintage.
  
  Brad - heavypourwine.com

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• 2021 Vida Valiente Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  Vida Valiente portfolio tasting in Napa Valley. The inaugural vintage from their estate's four acres planted in 2018, featuring obsidian-rich topsoil that makes the site unique and special. Available only in a few remaining magnums, this sold-out wine features beautiful etched bottles rather than traditional labels, creating a striking presentation. Only around 150 cases were produced from this inaugural estate vineyard. Coravin pour. Even served at cellar temperature, the wine displayed remarkable electricity and energy with red fruit characteristics that set it apart from the darker fruit profiles of their other vineyards. Candy and red fruit qualities distinguish this wine, showing a pop of red fruit versus the black and blue fruit driven profiles of the other bottlings. The wine's balance and vibrancy, despite coming from vines planted just three years before harvest, demonstrated the exceptional potential of this obsidian-rich site and Sam Kaplan's farming expertise. Lisa Perroti-Brown awarded this wine 99 points, recognizing its extraordinary quality. The elegant, pretty profile made it compelling enough that I purchased a magnum for my cellar.
  
  Brad - heavypourwine.com

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This tasting perfectly capped an incredible weekend in Napa Valley, bringing my Atlanta connection with Vida Valiente full circle. Jess's passion for the wines and their meaningful foundation work was infectious, and experiencing the complete portfolio revealed Sam Kaplan's skill as both farmer and blender. The standouts for me were the Graveside vineyard for its uniqueness and the estate wine's remarkable quality from such young vines, both of which I added to my cellar. Learning about the Vida Valiente Foundation's work with students added meaningful depth to an already exceptional winery. As I headed back to Atlanta, I reflected on how wine connections made in one city can blossom into lasting relationships and memorable experiences across the country.