2019 Ashes & Diamonds Blanc No. 5, Napa Valley, California, USA

ABOUT THIS WINE

Made by Steve Matthiasson with fruit from three vineyards in Oak Knoll and Yountville. This is done in the style and as a bit of an homage to the white Bordeaux blends of the lower left bank. This is made with Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc that was entirely barrel fermented with 30ish percent of those barrels being new. The nose shows a light beeswax, a hit of citrus, melon, and a kiss of oak. The palate is light and quite well balanced with melon and beeswax up front held in check by a light oak note. The fruit was harvested on September 5-9. The wine is 100% barrel fermented with no battonage (stirring of the lees) for 10 months in 31% New French Oak (Boutes, Ermitage, Orion). Only 1200 cases produced.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Ashes & Diamonds, ‘a love letter to the Napa Valley of the 1960s,’ has set out to revive this storied era’s pioneering energy. Kashy Khaledi has built a winery driven by collaboration, seeking the participation of Napa’s great contemporary voices in viticulture and enology. Kashy was compelled to investigate the nuances of the vineyard’s original plantings, Cabernet Franc and Merlot from 1986, and has meticulously done so through organic farming and restrained winemaking—with Steve Matthiasson and Diana Snowden-Seysses at the helm. Steve Matthiasson’s classically-balanced, restrained, organic wines consistently earn the attention of consumers and critics alike. He has consulted for historic vineyards such as Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Spottswoode Winery, the Araujo Estate and Dalla Valle Vineyards. His commitment to viticulture stands as an affirmation of his belief that great wine starts in the vineyard.