Winemaker Notes
The creation of Elivette 2001 wass overseen by winemaker Jac Cole and vineyard manager, Ron Rosenbrand, who capitalize on the diversity of Spring Mountain's complex vineyard. Vines are planted in 135 discrete hillside blocks that rise from 400 to 1,600 feet above sea level on the eastern slopes of Spring Mountain. The austere mountain soils yield fewer than two tons of grapes per acre, yet the resulting wines reflect intense varietal character, supple tannin structure and bright acidity. To fully preserve the unique qualities of each block, the fruit from each is kept separate for fermentation and barrel aging. After selecting only the most elegant wines from specific barrels of the classic Bordeaux varietals, Elivette is blended to become the finest expression of the Spring Mountain Vineyard.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Dark and rich, with a smooth, supple texture that seamlessly delivers flavors of cassis, vanilla and plum pudding. Tannins are plentiful but remarkably ripe and caressing on the finish.
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.