Chateau la Grande Roche - Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (750 ML) (14.8% ABV)

Château la Grande Roche is Ric Forman declassifying a few barrels of his iconic Napa Cab and releasing it for about half the usual $120 price tag. The name was derived in recognition of the presence of the gravel nature of the Forman Vineyard which is surrounded by massive boulders (Grande Roche) in a true Clos-like fashion. One could analogize the brand; “Château La Grande Roche” is to Forman what Pavillon Rouge is to Margaux. All the fruit is estate grown at Forman, located at the base of Howell Mountain in the St. Helena sub-AVA of Napa Valley. 352 cases produced.

Very pretty dark red color with brilliant clarity. Notes of licorice, mocha, cassis, graphite on the nose. Dusty herbs, dark fruit with tobacco and cedar on the palate. Firm tannins, healthy acidity, power and persistence. Delicious tonight with a brief decant or can be cellared for another decade.

region: Napa Valley, CA

varietal: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon 20% Cabernet Franc

style: Big bold red

farming/cellar: Traditional farming in a Bordelaise sense. Classical vertical trellis used with meticulous hand placement of the canopy to expose maximum leaf surface to nourish the developing grapes. Throughout the growing season each vine is tended to no less than 16 times. Canopy training, suckering, leaf removal and multiple green grape thinning goes on from mid- April through mid-August, all done by hand to assure accuracy and quality judgment. 3-4 week fermentation in steel. Matured for 21 months in Bordeaux oak barrels (85% neutral and 15% new). 

pairing: your favorite hearty chili, pot roast, steak quesadilla