2018 Impensata Proprietary Red Wine Engelhard Vineyard
Community Tasting Note
LiteItOnFire Likes this wine:
Thursday, April 1, 2021 - Dream Trip - Napa On A Mission - All My favorites Plus A Few New Ones; 4/1/2021-4/4/2021 (Napa Valley): 2018 killer vintage for those that figured it out (those that didn’t it’s already obvious), top vineyard manager Abreu, great Calistoga terroir previously used in some expensive bottlings, one of the hottest winemakers out there - how did they do? This is a badass Calistoga wine that is already excellent- powerful, complex and unique (for me anyway) profile that demands attention as you look in the glass pondering all of the flavors that just washed over you. Really cool (yet technical term right there). This winery and their wines will only get better and better. I would tuck these bad boys away for a few years but nothing wrong with checking in on it now with a proper decant.
While the wines are not for sale yet (thank you for allowing us the opportunity to tastes these), I would highly suggest signing up for the wait list as we will see great things from this winery and team of superstars. With new winemakers/wineries/vineyard managers/vineyards it sometimes can take a few years to produce a good more less great wine- with only 1-2 vintages under their belts, it seems like that extra time is not needed- can't wait to taste the 2019s if the 2018s are already at this level.
Unfortunately I am unable to rate as there must have been a hole in my glass as each of the four Kinsman wines were somehow gone before I was truly able to go through my rating process. Didn't figure this out until the third wine was poured (Kinsman Rhad) and even then barely had enough time to ponder. I will have to get another shot at these soon. So good!
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8 comments have been posted
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue (3,165 views)
Comment posted by vintage1949:
4/17/2021 7:28:00 AM - Hey Lite,
Signed up at Impensata. There does not seem be a waiting list. Could that be correct? Also signed up-on a waiting list-Kinsman wines. How many wines does Kinsman produce? Does signing up at Kinsman cover all their wines?
Regarding Impensata any idea what will be their first vintage they release? Is buying their first release a good idea?
Thanks as always for the info. Dave
Comment posted by LiteItOnFire:
4/17/2021 8:55:00 AM - Hi Dave. Impensata is building a waiting list now as they have not released so presumably it will be released to those that signed up early enough.
I believe their first release will be 2018 vintage however their first wine was made in 2017. Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to taste 2017 or 2019 from them but did thoroughly enjoy their 2018s!
Signing up with Kinsman will just be for their wines vs the few other wineries they make wines for. I think they make wines for about three projects that should release later this year: Kinsman, Impemsata and Bella Oaks (have not tried).
Hope that helps!
Comment posted by vintage1949:
4/21/2021 7:48:00 PM - Hey Lite,
Thanks for all of the information. Wow-you sure keep me informed. Hope your service charge is within reason. :)
Comment posted by LiteItOnFire:
4/21/2021 8:54:00 PM - Ha! A great glass of wine is all I charge :)
Comment posted by vintage1949:
4/22/2021 8:55:00 AM - Wonder if I can do that glass UPS. Speaking of UPS getting my first three pack of VHR today. Surprising-comes in two packages. One for the wine the other for the carton. Hmmm wonder why wine that originally comes in cartons is split up and other wines stays the same? Forgot have you had VHR before? Take care-Dave
Comment posted by LiteItOnFire:
4/22/2021 10:52:00 AM - Or maybe send via fax?
Very odd indeed. It should be all in one unless there is a money saving issue- or it broke in transit. A quick question on an email to VHR should help decipher the clue. Yes I have had a number of VHR vintages but nothing past 2016.
Comment posted by vintage1949:
4/23/2021 5:24:00 AM - Hi Lite,
FYI They incorrectly stated the contents and need of boxes. Everything was in one package. Dave
Comment posted by LiteItOnFire:
4/23/2021 7:31:00 AM - :)