Winemaker Notes
Pluribus expresses the character of an estate located at an elevation over 1,100 feet on the dramatic slopes of Spring Mountain. The name refers to the Latin word for many, and was chosen to signify the various facets involved in creating a fine wine: from the sun, soil, and climate of a vineyard, to the team of people who guide a wine through its evolution. A breathtaking mountainous 7-acre site with steep exposures to the north, east and southeast, the soil is comprised of volcanic bedrock. Pluribus, which debuted in the 2003 vintage, is defined as a bold, rich and concentrated wine elements of dark plum, roasted coffee, and scents of cedar are inherent throughout the vintages.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Bottled in early 2018, the 2015 Pluribus is deep purple-black colored with minted cassis, pencil shavings and tobacco over a core of black plums, black berry preserves and mulberries plus hints of Chinese five spice and dried lavender. Big, rich, bold and decadent, it has a firm line of super ripe, grainy tannins and fantastic freshness lifting the generous flavors to a long finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2015 Pluribus comes from the highest elevation vineyard in the lineup, located halfway up Spring Mountain on a southeast facing parcel of volcanic and Aiken soils. Classic Spring Mountain conifer and bay leaf notes are balanced by loads of sweet blue fruits, lavender, and exotic flower nuances. As with all the 2015s, it’s full-bodied and beautifully textured, with a seamless, pure, layered style that carries the sexy vibe of the vintage beautifully. Drink it any time over the coming 30+ years.Rating: 98+
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James Suckling
Gorgeous aromas of blackberries, flowers, black ink and currants. Full-bodied, rich and powerful like Pluribus. Polished chewy tannins. One of the best wines ever from here. Give it four or five years of balance. Drink in 2020.
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Wine Spectator
Dark and brooding in profile, with a strong charcoal frame around dark currant and warmed fig fruit flavors. Broad and loamy in feel, but there's depth too, with tobacco, cocoa and bay accents. Well-detailed despite the heft. Just give this some time. Best from 2021 through 2038. 408 cases made.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.