Drinkward Peschon Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2017

What's better than the wine in Napa? The food? The landscape? The sunsets? As magnificent as all these are, it is the magnetic people that make this valley so extraordinary. For a place that some know as being a valley peppered with castles and limos, those of us that live here, and many of you who have visited, know this place for inhabiting some of the warmest, friendly, down-to-earth people on the planet. You might even say this valley sometimes feels like one big hug. On the top of the list bringing the warmth and charm to this valley, and two of my favorite women around, are winemakers Lisa Drinkward and Françoise Peschon. Their presence exudes authenticity, sincerity, beauty, and wisdom. They are two of the kindest and most joyful people one could meet, and lucky for us, we not only get to call them friends and neighbors, but we also get to be grateful merchants of their project together. The 2017 Drinkward Peschon Cabernet marks their 18th vintage and it still remains one of our most beloved wines here at ACME. Beyond their good-spirited nature comes unparalleled talent with Drinkward in the vineyard (vineyard manager & co-owner of Behrens Family Winery) and Peschon (Consulting Winemaker at Accendo, Vine Hill Ranch, Cornell, and former long-time winemaker for the Araujo Eisele) in the winery. 

Peschon was also honored with the prestigious title of WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR in 2019 by the San Francisco Chronicle. Françoise and Lisa met here in St. Helena at their children's ballet class, and bonded over their love for beautiful, appropriately priced, eminently drinkable wines. In 2000 they launched a collaborative project labeled 'Entre Deux Mères', French for "between two mothers" (also a tongue in cheek reference to the wine-growing region in Bordeaux, Entre Deux Mers). 96% Cabernet Sauvignon & 4% Cabernet Franc coming from Turnbull's Blossom Creek Vineyard in Calistoga, the Moulds Family Vineyard in the Oak Knoll, and the Criscione Vineyard in Saint Helena. It is important to note that their harvest began on September 22nd with Criscione and Moulds Family Vineyards, followed by Blossom Creek five days later. The grapes were hand-picked and sorted at the winery, fermented in small tanks and pressed into 50% new French oak barrels for 22 months. On the nose, the 2017 Drinkward Peschon exhibits aromas of ripe plums, boysenberries and black cherries that come together with spicy notes of roasted coffee, black licorice, incense and orange rind. This wine is beautifully structured with good energy, fine-grained tannins and a luscious finish, all reflecting the vibrant yet lush nature of the 2017 vintage. A beautifully soulful wine made from these two talented and wonderfully precious women.