2012 Monticello Vineyards Corley Family State Lane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Monticello Vineyards was founded in 1969 when Jay Corley acquired vineyards in the Oak Knoll district of Napa Valley. For about a decade he grew grapes which he sold to other winemakers, but in 1980 he started making wine, producing a Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon. Today the estate is run by Corley’s sons, Kevin, Chris and Stephen, and the enterprise includes about 100 acres of estate vineyards in Oak Knoll, Yountville, Rutherford and St. Helena. Chris Corley is the winemaker. Monticello produces numerous wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and sparkling wine. The estate is named in tribute to Thomas Jefferson, a wine connoisseur, and his Virginia estate, where he grew grapes for winemaking.

Yountville AVA is just west of Stags Leap and north of Oak Knoll. It is centered around the town of Yountville, named for George Yountville, who planted the area’s first vineyard in 1836. The district received appellation status in 1999 and it includes 4,000 vineyard acres. It is known for tannic Cabernet Sauvignon that has a reputation for aging well. Dominus Estate, formerly Napanook Vineyard, is one of the most prestigious producers in Yountville, and in all of Napa Valley.

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.