Winemaker Notes
An effusive marriage of fruit and floral aromas dominate the nose of this signature release. The pungent perfume of raspberry, cranberry and red currant meld with the more ethereal essences of violet and lavender. The purity of these aromas is amply supported by the rich elements of cocoa, cassis and black tea that linger across the palate. The mouth feel is firm, but supple with refined and polished tannin's, and the structure is one of balance and beauty designed for graceful maturation well into the next decade.
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
A blend of cabernet sauvignon (91 percent) with franc and petit verdot, Elivette is winemaker Jac Cole's primary selection from 60 parcels, most of them between 900 and 1,200 feet in elevation. It's a richly textured Napa Valley red, focused on silken tannin and plump dark cherry fruit. There's scents of herbs and mountain-grown minerality to the tannin, layered under the equally dark extract from oak. This needs several years in bottle to fully mature.
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.
Above the town of St. Helena on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains sits the Spring Mountain District.
A dynamic region, its vineyards, cut by numerous springs and streams, vary in elevation, slope and aspect. Soils differ throughout with over 20 distinct types inside of the 8,600 acres that define the appellation. Within that area, only about 1,000 are planted to vineyards. Predominantly farmed by small, independent producers, the region currently has just over 30 wineries.
During the growing season, late afternoon Pacific Ocean breezes reach the Spring Mountain vineyards, which sit at between 400 and 1,200 feet. Daytime temperatures during mid summer and early fall remain slightly cooler than those of the valley floor.
Spring Mountain soils—volcanic matter and sedimentary rock—create intense but balanced reds with lush and delicate tannins. The area excels with Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot and in some cooler spots, Chardonnay.