2016 Alejandro Bulgheroni Lithology Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Alejandro Bulgheroni Estate is a new Napa Valley enterprise for Alejandro Bulgheroni, an Argentinian-Italian vintner and entrepreneur who owns wine estates in Argentina, Uruguay, Italy, France and Australia. This new estate is focused on producing small-batch, handcrafted Cabernet Sauvignon from prestigious Napa Valley terroir. The estate’s debut release was a 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon. Bulgheroni has assembled a winemaking dream team, starting with acclaimed winemaker Philippe Melka and consultant Michel Rolland. Veteran viticulturist Jim Barbour is vineyard operations manager. The 14-acre parcel that makes up the new estate has been through many transformations since the mid-19th century when it was part of an historic ranch. It was later part of Charles Krug Winery. Alejandro Bulgheroni makes Cabernet Sauvignon that is generally available only through the mailing list.

Las Piedras was first planted in the mid-19th century, and within a few years its grapes were being used to make wine by Henry Amstutz, one of the area’s first important winemakers. The 25-acre vineyard in St. Helena was acquired by Beckstoffer in 1983. Today it is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon. Beckstoffer Vineyards owns and farms more than 3,600 acres of highly prestigious grape growing vineyards in Napa Valley, Mendocino County and the Red Hills of Lake County. A senior executive with Heublein in the 1960s, Andy Beckstoffer is credited with steering Napa Valley vintners towards improving farming and the quality of the grapes used for wine. Grapes from any Beckstoffer vineyards are considered among the finest available in California.

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.