2021 Matthiasson Circa Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Matthiasson is owned and operated by Steve and Jill Matthiasson, who run their Napa Valley micro farm as a true family operation, producing a myriad of agricultural products and wine. They make very small batches of some of the most admired – and unusual -- wines coming out of Napa. The Matthiassons have championed the white grapes of northern Italy, such as Ribolla Gialla, and the ancient Italian red grapes Refosco and Schioppettino. They also produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and blends. Reviewers have been impressed. Matthiasson was a semi-finalist in the 2015 James Beard Foundation’s award for winemaking, and the San Francisco Chronicle named him 2014 Winemaker of the Year. Steve was a philosophy major who returned to college to study horticulture and then worked for years as a consultant in sustainable agriculture and winemaking before focusing on the family winemaking venture. Jill majored in botany and earned an advanced degree in agriculture. The couple are part of what’s been called the new DIY winemaking movement. They make artisanal wines with grapes sourced from leased vineyards, and they make styles and varieties that defy Napa winemaking conventions. Matthiasson source grapes from Oak Knoll, Dry Creek, Rutherford and Coombsville.

Rutherford AVA is just north of the Oakville AVA in the heart of Napa Valley, and it is equally distinguished. It is home to Beaulieu Vineyard and inglenook, arguably Napa Valley’s most historically influential wineries. Inglenook started making in wine in the late 19th century, and Beaulieu Vineyards was producing by the first years of the 20th century. BV founder Georges de Latour is particularly esteemed for having recruited Andre Tchelistcheff, a renowned research oenologist, to move from France to Napa Valley in 1938 and run BV’s winemaking. The legendary Tchelistcheff brought European winemaking techniques to Napa Valley and vastly improved wine quality. Other Rutherford winemakers followed his lead. Today there are 5,000 vineyard acres in Rutherford and many acclaimed producers. The famous Silverado Trail with its exclusive, limited production wineries, runs partly through Rutherford AVA. Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignons are characterized by supple tannins, richness, notes of cherry and plum, depth and the ability to age for several decades. Besides Cabernet Sauvignon the AVA also grows Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel. It received its AVA designation in 1994.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.