“Pope Valley is a hidden gem in Napa Valley”…

Cary Gott, Winemaker

This week’s Wines of the Week features two alluring and delicious wines from Calla Lily Estate, a small, artisanal producer of Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley.

About Calla Lily Estate

In 2013, Hong Kong-based entrepreneurs Anthony Fung and Andy Chui sought the expertise of renowned winemaker Cary Gott to assist them in finding a vineyard-winery to purchase in Napa Valley. They successfully acquired a picturesque property in Pope Valley which now serves as the home for Calla Lily Estate & Winery. Messrs. Fung and Chui market their line of wines in Asia as well as the United States.

All of their wines are crafted exclusively from grapes grown on their 20-acre estate vineyard. The vineyard is comprised of 12 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 5 acres of Petite Sirah, and 1 acre each of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. To ensure optimal monitoring and quality control, the vineyard is divided into micro-lots. Vines were first in the vineyard in 1995.

The vineyard is located on the eastern side of Howell Mountain, with an elevation of over 800 feet, creating optimal growing conditions for the grapes due to the gently contoured slopes. These slopes also act as a natural barrier against frost in winter and extreme heat in summer. The vineyard’s soil is primarily composed of well-drained, fine-grained sandstone and shale, belonging to the Bressa-Dibble complex.

Cary Gott is a highly esteemed winemaker with a family history of winemaking that spans four generations. He has contributed to the success of over twenty wineries throughout his career.

Disclosure: Wines were provided as a media samples. No other compensation was received. All opinions are mine.

The Wines

The 2019 Calla Lily Ultimate Cabernet Sauvignon is made from grapes grown in the estate vineyard surrounding the winery. The 2018 Audax—-a reference to the audacity of Napa’s early grape growers—represents the ‘best of the best’ of the estate vineyard grapes.

Tasting Notes:

• 2019 Calla Lily Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Ultimate Red – USA, California, Napa Valley
  Medium ruby color with expansive aromas of blackberry, cassis, cedar wood, anise, menthol, tobacco, and oak spice. On the palate, it’s medium bodied with juicy, refreshing acidity and fine-grained, well integrated tannins with ripe blackberry, cassis, and a hint of boysenberry, extra dark chocolate, vanilla, and mint flavors with a long finish. Blend of 79.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.3% Cabernet Franc, 8.1% Merlot, 3.8% Petit Verdot, and 0.2% Malbec. Raised in 40% new French Oak for 24 months. 632 cases| 14.3% abv| SRP – $65 (91 pts.)
• 2018 Calla Lily Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Audax – USA, California, Napa Valley
  Deep garnet color with billowing black cherry, pencil shavings, vanilla, cacao, and cassis, aromas with a hints of violet and licorice. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied with bright acidity and supple, sweet, well-integrated tannins with ripe plum, cassis, black cherry, bittersweet chocolate, vanilla and oak spice flavors. Long finish. Blend of 94.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and a dollop of Merlot. 15% abv|597 cases|SRP – $120 (93 pts.)

These are two harmonious and delicious wines are that approachable now ( I recommend decanting), but will benefit from further aging. Both wines are available through the winery website. 

Fung and Chui selected the calla lily as their project’s symbol due to its representation of elegance, beauty, and purity in Chinese culture. Calla lilies are also commonly given as a symbol of love. The winery proudly showcases a calla lily scroll that was gifted to the proprietors by a calligrapher from Changli, located in the Hebei province of China.