Whitehall Lane Leonardini Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
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Product Details
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Winemaker Notes
Blend: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Leonardini Estate is a little soft spoken and reticent to begin, giving up subtle notes of crushed red and black currants, kirsch and wild blueberries with wafts of cedar chest, wild thyme, tilled soil and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a compelling quiet intensity, with firm, ripe, grainy tannins and lovely freshness supporting the crushed red and black berry layers, finishing on a persistent mineral note.
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Wine Spectator
Focused, with modest toast notes along the edges of the core of dark currant and blackberry preserve flavors. The structure is streamlined and well-integrated, while tobacco, loam and sage accents score the finish. Good latent energy too. Best from 2020 through 2029. 1,079 cases made.
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Wine Enthusiast
Herbal and expansive in soft red fruit, tannin and oak, this wine has a weighty middle strengthened by the addition of 6% Petit Verdot, which adds a floral lavender note. Succulent and rich, it offers a length of clove and tobacco on the finish.
Other Vintages
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James
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Robert
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James
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Robert
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James
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James
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Whitehall Lane Winery was founded in 1979, but the history of the soil cultivation dates back two centuries. In the mid 1800's, Napa Valley settlers were drawn to the gravelly-loam soils and ideal climate, planting high quality grape vines at the Whitehall Lane Winery site. A barn constructed in the early 1900's for equipment storage is still used today. In 1979, two brothers started the winery and directed their winemaking efforts successfully to Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. They named the winery after the road that runs along the southern border of the property, Whitehall Lane.
In 1993, the Leonardini Family purchased the Whitehall Lane Winery estate. They updated the winemaking and barrel-aging program and introduced a scientific approach in the vineyards. The winery now owns seven prime vineyards that are the cornerstone on which the wines are made. They include two vineyards in the St. Helena Appellation, three vineyards (including the winery) in the Rutherford Appellation, one vineyard in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley and one vineyard in Sonoma Valley.
In its short history, Whitehall Lane has developed into a world-class winery. The efforts of the Leonardini Family are evident in the run of accolades from wine publications but are even more apparent in their elegant, beautifully made wines.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.