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2018 Rivers-Marie Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon

Removed from a temperature and humidity controlled wine storage unit; Purchased direct from winery

Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific

RATINGS

95The Wine Advocate

...savory notions of sautéed herbs, beef drippings and truffles with a core of crème de cassis , baked plums and mulberries. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it has a solid backbone of firm, velvety tannins and really compelling earthy undertones to all that decadent black fruit, finishing long and layered.

94+ Jeb Dunnuck

...offers a beautiful, elegant character that carries classic darker currant and savory herb notes as well as plenty of chocolate, medium to full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, and a great finish. The balance is spot on, and this beauty has solid mid-palate depth.

91Vinous / IWC

...a powerful, dark wine. Blackberry jam, gravel, espresso, sage and charcoal embers all give the Calistoga a real sense of brooding intensity and gravitas.

REGION

United States, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga

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.

TYPE

Red Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon

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.