2017 Heritage School Vineyards Missiaen's Hillside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Heritage School Vineyards is the former Harris Estate Vineyards, founded by Mike and Treva Harris in 1997. In 2014 Harris Estate Vineyards was acquired by David and Linda Jenkins who renamed it Heritage School Vineyards. The estate focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon, and it employs a winemaking dream team of winemaker Thomas Brown and viticulturalist Josh Clark. Vinous has awarded the estate’s wines scores in the low to mid-90s, and noted that under the new ownership the estate continues to make “bold, ripe, Calistoga Cabernets.”

Calistoga AVA is one of Napa Valley’s newer appellations, having been given appellation status in 2010. It is notable for its volcanic soil, which is unusual in the Napa Valley. Calistoga also experiences the greatest average 24-hour temperature swing of any Napa Valley AVAs, which Calistoga grape growers insist give the grapes time to “cool down” at night, making for better balanced wines. The 1,500 Calistoga vineyard acres are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah, along with smaller amounts of other varietals. Calistoga is at the northern end of Napa Valley, northwest of the Diamond District and St. Helena AVAs. Longtime winemaker Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena, which is located in the Calistoga AVA, proposed the creation of the appellation.

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.