Winemaker Notes
The 2016 Calluna Chalk Hill Calluna Vineyards Cuvee is precise, filled with juicy richness to the dark currant, cherry and dried raspberry flavors that feature minerally elegance. Dried Asian spice notes linger on the firmly tannic finish, with vanilla accents. Blend: 49% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 8% Malbec and 7% Petit Verdot.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Calluna Vineyards Cuvée is made up of 49% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot and 7% Malbec. Medium to deep ruby-purple, it opens with floral and mineral notions over a core of cassis, black cherry jam, cedar, clove, tobacco and earth. Medium to full-bodied, it has a great core of lush black fruits with a very firm frame of chewy tannins and good freshness, finishing long.
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Wine Spectator
Precise, filled with juicy richness to the dark currant, cherry and dried raspberry flavors that feature minerally elegance. Dried Asian spice notes linger on the firmly tannic finish, with vanilla accents.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
A Sonoma sub-appellation whose boundaries cover the northeastern corner of the Russian River Valley AVA, the Chalk Hill growing area is named after its unique chalky and white, volcanic ash soils. This terrain has proven successful with white varieties, namely Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc.