WLW Blog
Top Honors at the St. Helena Appellation Tasting
The third annual Appellation St. Helena tasting (ASH) was held in the Rudd Center at the Culinary Institute of American on October 28th. The attendees are few in number but vast in knowledge and influential throughout the wine community.
What is the St. Helena Appellation?
Premium winegrowing in the St. Helena area can be traced back to the 1860s, with such noted winemakers as Charles Krug. It was Krug and H.A. Pellet who first formed the St. Helena Viticultural Club back in 1876. But it wasn't until 1995 that the St. Helena appellation was approved, nevertheless its growers never created a promotional group like most appellations do. One result is that few labels mention "St. Helena," even though it's one of the most prestigious addresses in Wine Country.
St. Helena's Unique Topography
St. Helena's Valley floor narrows to less than .5 miles across giving it a larger hillside to
valley floor ratio. The funneling Bay moisture and producing wide diurnal temperature swings set up the vines and fruit ideally each day to get the most of the warm climate. So what does this mean to the wine consumer? In general, St. Helena Appellation Cabernet Sauvignon's have an intensity of fruit that rarely is over the top, that are supported by firm tannins and good crisp acidity. According to Alan Goldfarb the Signature a St. Helena Cabernet can be described "as having "dust," which is less a liquid characteristic, but a more refined earthiness, or minerality such as slate or wet concrete. St. Helena Cabs can also be marked by dried herb and unsweetened, baking chocolate. They also have a ripeness and are "feminine" with fine tannins. The wines are high-toned, with strawberry and cherry fruit, with no black fruit aromas or flavors."
If this sounds enticing to you well you're in luck. Whitehall Lane offers two Cabernet Sauvingon's chosen as the best representation of the St. Helena appellation.
93 Points! Our 2005 St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon. According to Jim Gallagher this wine is " Dark red, purple edge: bouquet of cherry, chocolate, spice & toast; medium light body, superb fruit, good acid-tannin balance; superb finish: rich, long, luscious aftertaste, finesse style..."
Top Honors of the evening went to our 2005 St. Helena Leonardini Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon at 96 Points! Gallagher's notes read "Dark red, purple edge; bouquet of cherry, chocolate, spice, nutmeg & toast; medium body, superb fruit, good acid-tannin balance; superb finish: rich, long, luscious aftertaste- lovely, robust style..."
Purchase your ASH winning Cabernet Sauvignon's today! And let us know what you think.
Posted by WLW on November 17, 2008 12:18 PM | Permalink
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