Tasting Notes

This “Familiar Air” MMXIX Cabernet is a real WAW (What A Wine)

Posted on by Frank Melis
Familiar Air is the former Passenger winery. The Passenger label is dead, but long live Familiar Air. After an amicable separation the lady got to keep the vineyard source and the winemaker, but not the name of the label. They decided to bury the hatchet and the “Passenger” name all together. The Winemaker Tony Biagi (Vineyardist, Patria, Hourglass, Spottswoode, Cade, Plumpjack) made an amazing wine from an incredible, but “secret” St. Helena Vineyard. This is a fun project that has created a great following since its inaugural 2008 release. The 2019 Familiar Air release is a mere 168 cases of stunning Cabernet. 

Familiar Air 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley MMXIX
GGWC 94.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6
Use code FAMILIAR  upon checkout

The MMXIX Familiar Air Cabernet Sauvignon (92% Cabernet , 8% Malbec) has an amazing aroma that jumps out of the glass. Balance and elegance, yet structure, power and complexity. The owners were not interested in a high alcohol, over ripe, dessert wine of a Cabernet, yet instead, a wine that had the typicity of the Valley and specifically of the Saint Helena AVA. Dark cherry and blackberry, cocoa and mocha with a slight dusty quality that represented the vineyard. This combined with moderate alcohol and tannins, 25% new French oak for 2 years in barrel and an intensity in the mouth, structured, round and finishing long with each of these elements.

Their winemaker, Tony Biagi, was named “Winemaker of the Year”.

Winemaker Notes: ”From a brilliant vintage, the 2019 familiar air offers primary aromas of spiced black fruit, cedar box and Chambord. Flavors of black cherry, mixed berries, and Asian spice are followed by rich lush tannins and a lingering silky finish. Although it is drinking well now, it will open up more with two to three years in the cellar and continue to evolve over the next 15 years.”

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