2017 Patria A. Price Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Patria is a collaboration between winemaker Anthony Biagi and Napa-based wine broker Kimberly Jones. Biagi has an extensive résumé, having made wine for Plumpjack, Paraduxx, Neal Family Vineyards, Cade Wineries, Hourglass, Sinegal Estate and Amici. In 2013 he founded Patria, meaning homeland, with Jones, who is known for championing high quality, boutique producers. Grapes for Patria are sourced from Oakville Ranch, and in the first few vintages the wines have won acclaim. Robert M. Parker Jr. rated one of the 2013 cuveés at 98 pts and described it as “flirting with perfection.”

St. Helena AVA is at the northern end of Napa Valley just north of Rutherford and south of Calistoga. It is a relatively warm climate thanks to the Mayacamas Mountains on its western edge, which protect it from Pacific Ocean fog. Out of the 9,000 acres in the appellation, some 1,500 are under vine. The principal grapes grown in St. Helena are the Bordeaux grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. St. Helena is considered prime wine producing territory, and it was one of the first important wine producing regions in northern California. The legendary Charles Krug founded his winery just north of the town of St. Helena in 1873, and today the appellation is home to many prestigious producers, including Abreu, Grace Family and Spottswoode.

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.