Namo Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019

As the first single female winery owner in Sonoma County, Debra Mathy knows the passion and determination necessary to succeed in the wine industry. After a short stint as an elementary school teacher and a lifelong love of wines, she dropped everything in the early 2000s to move to California and start a winery. While facing a terminal illness, Debra’s father encouraged her to follow her dream, reminding her that life is too short. With his support, she purchased a 30-acre vineyard and winery in Dry Creek called Dutcher’s Crossing. From then on, Debra poured herself into refining her vineyards, developing her wine label, and making a name for herself in Sonoma. Yet, as often happens with determined folks, she still yearned for the ultimate goal as a vintner: creating a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Namo Wines was built slowly over time and only came to fruition after diligently searching for the right vineyards to craft the wines Debra has long envisioned. Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky are taking their side as consultants in leading the stylistic winemaking choices. Their renowned expertise in all things Napa Valley has guided Debra and her day-to-day winemaker, Nick Briggs. For the last 12 years, Nick has made the wines at Dutcher’s Crossing with Debra and, before his time there, worked with the team at Venge Vineyards in Calistoga. Debra and Nick have forged a trusted partnership in their decade-plus working together, and through those years, they daydreamed together of what a Napa project would look like. Most important for both was creating terroir-driven, small-lot wines. With Philippe and Maayan sharing their wisdom and Napa fruit sources, Debra is achieving yet another target, which she aimed for.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, the 2019 Namo fermented in open-top vessels using cultured yeasts and underwent frequent pump-overs. After fermentation, the wine aged in 65% new French oak barrels over 18 months. “This wine shows all the classic characteristics of great Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The color is a bold, dark garnet hue. The nose displays notes of cassis and dried cherries along with dried herb, sage, and crushed rock. In the periphery, you get some dark and rich qualities with hints of toasty oak, peppercorns, violets, and dark chocolate. The palate is on point with the aromas; loads of ripe red fruits are encircled by mouth-coating, youthful tannins. This is a great wine start to finish with a nice pop of acid that hits in the middle and draws through to a lengthy finish.” ~ Debra Mathy & Nick Briggs