- Producer: Vangone Estate
- Winemaker: Sam Kaplan
- Region (AVA): Napa Valley (Napa Valley)
- Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Vintage production: 210 cases
- Winery location: Howell Mountain
- Owners: Mark Davidowski
- First vintage: 2014
- Drinking window: 2022-2052
About The Wine
Every aspect of Vangone Estate is about adventure, discovery and exclusivity. From the precarious drive up through hidden backroads, to the breathtaking view that awaits you when you arrive (see picture above), to the luxurious micro-production Cabernet Sauvignons produced here, Vangone is the ultimate insider's secret.
The Estate vineyard is a staggeringly beautiful site perched on two ridge tops, high in the Vaca Mountains between Atlas Peak, Pritchard Hill and Oakville. With views looking down across the nearby Rector Creek reservoir towards Screaming Eagle on one side (see picture), high up towards Continuum Estate in the other direction, and untouched wilderness at every other angle, this has to be one of the most stunning vineyards in Napa.
Stylistically, Vangone is an amazing expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines are almost an Oakville/Pritchard Hill hybrid with the intensity and dark fruit profile of the former (think nearby Dalla Valle and Bevan's Tench Vineyard), and the lifted minerality and stunning aromatics of the latter (traits found in Chappellet's Pritchard Hill, and Continuum).
Proprietor Mark Davidowski and winemaker Sam Kaplan (Arkenstone & Momento Mori) produce a unique trio of wines: 100 cases each of two individual vineyard parcels, Block B and Block D, as well as masterfully combining them into the Estate Cabernet (250 cases).
The west-facing Block B has great exposure to the sunshine and the reservoir below has a significant cooling influence. It is full of savoury, perfumed aromatics which showcase the luxurious side of the vineyard and highlight the iron rich soils.
Block D faces Atlas Peak to the east, on an incredibly steep part of the vineyard. It is characteristic for its fruit-driven nose and incredibly powerful, structured core.
The Estate Cabernet is a stunning combination of the two. It carries notes from each and shines with gorgeous density, structure and personality.
Vangone Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
"This relatively new label gets nearly three years in barrel, so this 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is the current release. It is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged in 100% new French oak barrels for 30 months. Deep garnet-purple in color, the nose gives up bombastic scents of crème de cassis, blueberry preserves and blackberry pie with touches of menthol, truffles, crushed rocks and iron ore plus a waft of mossy tree bark. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated and packed with savory-laced black fruit layers, it is framed by grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long."
97+ points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Advocate, Jan. 2021)