Spring Mountain Vineyard
Elivette Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California, USA
A few fun 4th Friday wines from tonight.
I’ll be honest...this was very similar to the ‘09 Gruaud Larosse it shared the table with. Nice compliment. These Elivette’s have so much structure and can age for a good while, and while I’m sure this vintage is no different, it seemed much more approachable at a young age than previous vintages. Aromatically it shows potpourri, brambly fruits, some fig, and only a hint of leather. Dark core that is fairly soft, with blue and black fruits, pencil shavings, baked plum, dark chocolate and a very lengthy finish. Lots to like here.
A few fun 4th Friday wines from tonight.
I’ll be honest...this was very similar to the ‘09 Gruaud Larosse it shared the table with. Nice compliment. These Elivette’s have so much structure and can age for a good while, and while I’m sure this vintage is no different, it seemed much more approachable at a young age than previous vintages. Aromatically it shows potpourri, brambly fruits, some fig, and only a hint of leather. Dark core that is fairly soft, with blue and black fruits, pencil shavings, baked plum, dark chocolate and a very lengthy finish. Lots to like here.
At the end of the Last Bottle Marathon a few weeks ago, I am surmising they cleared out the remaining Spring Mtn. Inventory. So, I bought this 2012 & a mag of 2007. Pretty good decision at $29 on the 2012 and $79 on the 2007 magnum. The 2012 is over delivering at $29.
Interesting story with this winery that closed in 2019. An investment fund bought the property & two others Spring Mtn. wineries and started investing to build them into something better. As bad luck goes sometimes, the Glass Fires followed in 2020. That was a big setback and they’re still in the process of regrouping.
The nose has a dark currents, red, blue & some purple fruits in its core. Hints of smoke, dark, sharpish spices, baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, soft used leather, fresh tobacco, barrel shavings, fresh & withering red & dark florals.
The palate shows dry, velvety, dark medium to plus tannins. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, hovering raspberries dark cherries with notes of strawberries & blueberries. Dark spices that press the palate with heat, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick shavings, vanillin, dark chocolate, warm caramel, some black licorice, dry herbaceous tones, moist to dryish grey volcanics/clay, crushed dry rocks, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dry tobacco with ash, dry; dark, red, florals with withering violets, very nice acidity. The finish is long almost two-minutes, it’s well structured/tensioned for a 2012, balanced with elegance & smartly polished settling on earthiness & spice on the long set.
Has another 10-15 yrs ahead of it.
At the end of the Last Bottle Marathon a few weeks ago, I am surmising they cleared out the remaining Spring Mtn. Inventory. So, I bought this 2012 & a mag of 2007. Pretty good decision at $29 on the 2012 and $79 on the 2007 magnum. The 2012 is over delivering at $29.
Interesting story with this winery that closed in 2019. An investment fund bought the property & two others Spring Mtn. wineries and started investing to build them into something better. As bad luck goes sometimes, the Glass Fires followed in 2020. That was a big setback and they’re still in the process of regrouping.
The nose has a dark currents, red, blue & some purple fruits in its core. Hints of smoke, dark, sharpish spices, baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, soft used leather, fresh tobacco, barrel shavings, fresh & withering red & dark florals.
The palate shows dry, velvety, dark medium to plus tannins. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, hovering raspberries dark cherries with notes of strawberries & blueberries. Dark spices that press the palate with heat, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick shavings, vanillin, dark chocolate, warm caramel, some black licorice, dry herbaceous tones, moist to dryish grey volcanics/clay, crushed dry rocks, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dry tobacco with ash, dry; dark, red, florals with withering violets, very nice acidity. The finish is long almost two-minutes, it’s well structured/tensioned for a 2012, balanced with elegance & smartly polished settling on earthiness & spice on the long set.
Has another 10-15 yrs ahead of it.
I had higher expectations for this wine.
I had higher expectations for this wine.
Jan 9th, 2021
Great bottle in preparation for the battle of Winterfell 🐺🐉
Great bottle in preparation for the battle of Winterfell 🐺🐉
Apr 29th, 2019
Light pomegranate nose. Very balanced on the tongue. Builds in your mouth. Taste of leather, berries, pomegranate. Mild tannins and slight spice finish. A bit of a sharp, slightly acidic follow-up. Enjoyed for Daryl's 43nd birthday with K fam.
Light pomegranate nose. Very balanced on the tongue. Builds in your mouth. Taste of leather, berries, pomegranate. Mild tannins and slight spice finish. A bit of a sharp, slightly acidic follow-up. Enjoyed for Daryl's 43nd birthday with K fam.
Aug 26th, 2017Great. Full, rich body, balanced oak, strong but not agressive tannin.
Great. Full, rich body, balanced oak, strong but not agressive tannin.
Jun 1st, 2017