2019 001 Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon Ecotone Vineyard

Community Tasting Note

Geaux Tigers Likes this wine:

94 Points

Friday, August 25, 2023 - Napa 2023 - The Sequel; 8/23/2023-8/28/2023: Lunch with Jack Bittner at Farmstead. Graeme MacDonald’s wine making style on display. Elegant and dare I say restrained in the context of big Napa wines (a good thing in this case). Black raspberry, red raspberry, hint of cola, no showy oak apart from a hint of melted chocolate, nice tannic structure at this stage that really framed the wine. Not a hard edge anywhere even this early. Can’t wait to see what this is like after they really dial in the winemaking. 94 as is, room up to high 90s with more age.

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11 comments have been posted

Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:

8/29/2023 2:05:00 PM - Thanks for the note on this wine.
Comment posted by Geaux Tigers:

8/29/2023 3:26:00 PM - Thanks for the heads up, I fixed it, gotta check all my other notes now.

This was another wow wine. Note the release will be first come first served, so block your calendar on the release date!

I leave HTX and it finally rains, everyone is welcome!
Comment posted by njustl:

8/30/2023 3:46:00 PM - Nice. Any idea of price and expected release date?
Comment posted by Geaux Tigers:

8/30/2023 5:42:00 PM - Allegedly. . . late September $225/btl in 3 packs
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:

8/31/2023 9:01:00 AM - Yeah, it rained for a "hot minute" in Memorial which was a welcome sight to see. How would you say this wine compares to Blankiet since Graeme took over? Similar or is your reference to MacDonald? Or, both?
Comment posted by Geaux Tigers:

8/31/2023 10:41:00 AM - Closer to Blankiet than MacD in terms of elegance, but more fruit forward. Not sure that is helpful. For my palate preference, this is between them.
Comment posted by njustl:

9/1/2023 9:35:00 AM - Even in the spirit of cutting back or being more selective (I am in this mode too), this is a GT must buy? I know prices keep creeping up, but $225 is quite a bit for a first release. Will have to trust your palate (and Roy's) and the winemaking pedigree on this one!

Side note, us Houston area people need to get together to open some bottles.
Comment posted by Geaux Tigers:

9/2/2023 6:48:00 AM - Nick—I am buying. I am terrible at cutting back, I’m starting again right now! I am adding this to my shortened list, assuming I can get in and purchase. $225 seems fair for the juice, considering everyone else thinks they can get $300. I am dropping favorites for price hikes, it’s getting easier and easier.

Fully agree, we need to get the HTX folk together. We moved up to Magnolia earlier this summer. Happy to host, but it would be a hike for everyone else.
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:

9/2/2023 8:22:00 AM - Thanks for the information Geaux!

Btw, I'm going to be hosting a tasting for Patrice & DJ (Keplinger & VV) most likely Nov/Dec in Houston. I'm also looking at hosting Heimark including Francoise around Dec or Feb. Let me know if this is something you'd be interested in.
Comment posted by Geaux Tigers:

9/2/2023 8:35:00 AM - Absolutely, if we’re in town, we’ll make it down! Keep me in the loop
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:

9/2/2023 8:38:00 AM - Will do.