Von Ammon The Albatross Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Hillside Oakville 2020

Matt Reid, who is currently the winemaker at Bennessere Wines and formerly of Seavey, Quixote, and Failla,  has been working on this micro von Ammon project for the last several years, and it still remains Oakville's best kept secret, coming from a tiny 1/3 - acre vineyard (yes, that is .33) on the back hillside parcel of the original To Kalon Vineyard land grant.  After purchasing the property, owner Derek Lemke-von Ammon set out looking for a drought resistant landscaping for this special piece of land.  But before he knew it, he had Napa legends Bill Harlan and Ric Forman walking the property encouraging him to plant grapes.  Mary Maher (the brilliant viticulturist behind Harlan Estate, BOND, and Napa Valley Reserve at the time) assisted in selecting the clones for his new vineyard. What an amazing, neighborly story!

Since planting the vineyard exclusively to Cabernet Sauvignon in 2005, Derek had only been selling his bottles to friends, family, and for personal enjoyment, making a little over just ONE BARREL each vintage.  To our delight each year, Derek has partnered with us to allow a few cases to go to ACME clients.

With only 1/3 of an acre, this wine was quickly picked prior to the fires that later ravaged parts of the Napa Valley.  Each time we hear of a winery picking fruit ahead of the devastating fires, we rejoice.  Honestly, as a community, we marvel at how fortunate we are to be spared from losing grapes to Mother Nature. Back to the great news… this is classic Oakville cabernet with a beautiful, deep crimson color; this wine is complex, structured, and richly flavored with vivid red currant and pomegranate notes nuzzled up to well-integrated toasty oak and tannins followed by a long, bright finish. It appears some other few, lucky receivers enjoyed our pairing recommendations last year so we’ll give them again. We hope that you will find these flavors and textures complementary when you enjoy a rare glass of The Albatross accompanied by warm bread & pimento cheese dip, with bacon and red onion jam, grilled Portobello mushrooms with butter and garlic, tomato & chili braised meatballs, or roasted vegetable flatbread covered with peppers, eggplant, zucchini, onion and thyme. Like past vintages, this Cabernet is drinking beautifully with a hearty decant, but it will continue to mature gracefully for another 10+ years.