Vice Versa Spinning Plates Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019

With a keen interest in art, science, and history, Canadian native Patrice Breton fell head over heels in love with wine when first introduced to the beauty within a bottle at age 19.  From the first impression to the last sip, he recognized and appreciated all aspects of that experience ~ color, texture, complexity, perfume, and of course, all while admiring the very detailed and hard work that goes into producing something so exquisite.  However, Patrice didn’t dive into this industry right away.  His career as a young adult in the early 1990s took him down the path of digital strategy and coding when the world wide web and internet platforms were first taking off, and by 1996 he co-founded one of Canada’s earliest internet companies.  By 2000, his company was so successful that it went public, and he made enough money to embrace his authentic passion for wine!  

Patrice quickly began collecting any and all iconic and sought-after wines he could get his hands on from Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Napa Valley.  Eventually, rumors milled that he owned the largest vertical collection of Château d’Yquem worldwide.  How fantastic is that?!  Naturally, he began to consider purchasing property to plant vines and one day produce wine himself in Bordeaux. Instead, he decided to focus on Napa Valley. Without any formal introduction or mutual friends, Patrice contacted the great Paul Hobbs in 2001 to request a meeting, and Paul obliged willingly.  They became fast friends, and Paul agreed to help Patrice launch his passion project, which he named Vice Versa.

Although they made wine together for the first two years, which was never released and only kept for personal enjoyment, the first commercial release of Vice Versa was from the 2003 vintage.  Later, the baton was passed to Philippe Melka and his team, which includes one of our favorite winemakers, Maayan Koschitzky, to produce the wines moving forward.  Since its inception, Patrice has relied on access to premier vineyard sites in the Napa Valley – heavily utilizing some of Andy Beckstoffer’s six designated ‘heritage vineyards’ to create luxurious, balanced, and polished wines that are built to age beautifully!

The inaugural “Spinning Plates” 2019 vintage combines Oakville and Yountville vineyards with 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc.  Named to convey the “spinning plates” nature of winemaking and as a nod to Patrice’s love of music in spinning records, the wine hits all the “notes” along the scale.  The wine aged for 18 months after fermentation in stainless steel tanks with a 3-day cold soak and 29 days on the skins was complete.  Philippe used a mix of 85% new and 15% neutral French oak barrels for aging.  Aromas are brooding and dark-fruited, bursting with juicy blackberry and currant.  Touches of spice from the French oak meld with licorice, cigar box, and cocoa powder. Delicate and flawless tannins fill the palate, producing an alluring and full-bodied Cabernet with lively fruit, balance, and a lasting finish.