96 Point Gallica Cabernet by former Spottswoode winemaker ROCKS!

Rosemary Cakebread is among the seasoned winemakers who have been instrumental in bringing Napa Valley Cabernet to prominence. After earning a degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis in 1979, she was introduced to Cabernet Sauvignon at the historic Inglenook Winery, where she took her first winery job right after college. She has enjoyed varied experiences during her many years of experience in the production of wines, which include harvests in Bordeaux and with some Champagne producers.  A love for Cabernet Sauvignon was nurtured as winemaker for Spottswoode from 1997 through the 2005 vintage, where she divided her time between winemaking and overseeing the organically farmed estate vineyard. Rosemary celebrated her thirtieth harvest in 2009, which coincided with the bottling of her first release under her own label: the 2007 Gallica Cabernet Sauvignon (99 Points!). The latest release, her 11th of Gallica, might be one of her best offerings yet to date. STUNNING I’d say!  

FYI: The grapes were harvested on 9/27, 2 weeks BEFORE the Napa fires thus NOT affecting the quality of the wine!

Gallica 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville, Napa Valley
GGWC 184.99
FREE SHIPPING on 4 or more
Use code GALLICA during checkout

Robert Parker 96 Points: “Blended with16% cabernet franc, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville is deep garnet-purple in color and springs from glass with expressive black currant cordial, warm plums and blueberry compote plus Indian spices, earth and lilacs with a cedar waft. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm, grainy and packed with expressive fruit and with seamless freshness, finishing long. Very impressive!” 

Vinous 95 Points: ”The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is an attractive wine that shows a more mid-weight expression of the vintage. It is also quite a bit restrained for Gallica, where the Cabernet is typically more opulent and explosive. What impresses me most about the 2017 are its savory aromatics, persistence and finesse. Readers who expect a big, rich Cabernet won’t find that here. Instead, the 2017 Gallica Cabernet is the kind of wine that needs a few years in bottle to be at its best. I won’t be surprised if it turns out to be even better than this note suggests.”

Rosemary Cakebread (Winemaker) Notes: “Cool and rainy April days gave way to three warm heat events which advanced ripening and winery preparations. Gallica’s harvest started in August and we picked Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville on September 27th (10 days before the fire!). The 2017 Gallica Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon shares many characteristics with the notable 2015 bottling- warm and sappy, structurally built to age with sweet and fine tannin. Early canopy positioning in the vineyard enhanced fruit protection from direct afternoon sun and allowed us to make a wine we are proud of. Subtle hints of dried sage, blackberry and cocoa powder are evident but the wine leans towards savory, with some black olive, and dried tobacco. Round and supple, this vintage can be appreciated now with the promise of further enjoyment with bottle aging.”

Also check out this “FUN” 93 Point rated California grown/made GALLICA 2018 ALBARIÑO release

Anthony Galloni 93 Points: The 2018 Albariño is such a pretty, expressive white with lovely textural depth to balance the natural acidity of Albariño. Citrus peel, jasmine, mint, and almond notes all grace this exquisite, refreshing white from Gallica and Rosemary Cakebread.
 
Winemaker Notes: “Gallica’s only white wine emphasizes the sublime limestone signature found on this high elevation site. Tropical fruit and white flowers emerge from the mineral backbone. Summer is a time of relaxed days and spontaneous occasions- the ease of creating a meal right off the boat or just picked from the garden. We love Albariño for its purity, complementing a vast array of summer foods. A faithful companion to shellfish, curries, sushi, and anything saffron. Fermented in a combination of stainless and neutral oak barrels, we practice low intervention winemaking with the goal of accurately representing the beauty of this white grape in California. Almost weightless, we find lime peel, white rose, even a hint of savory in the glass. Partial malo-lactic fermentation polish the crisp acidity so noted in Albariño.”

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Call 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for availability and priority allocation!