Afterwords First Addendum Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2022

After decades in the publishing industry, proprietors Anton & Lisa Van de Plas are writing the next chapter of their story with the inaugural release of their wine label, Afterwords. Even though 2021 marks the beginning, the couple has spent over ten years developing the brand's ethos and mission, establishing relationships with premier Napa grape growers, and collaborating with their winemaker, Julien Fayard, for a stand-out, exceptional first release. Making Napa Valley home in 2012 allowed Anton & Lisa to live at the center of America's winemaking industry and create friendships with some of the valley's Illuminati, who would guide and help shape the Afterwords wines. Anton & Lisa have combined the thoughtful, meticulous, and innovative demeanor necessary for publishing with a deep love of fine wine and pride to present their 2022 "First" Addendum.

Julien Fayard is known for perfecting Cabernet Sauvignon from excellent vineyard sources, making wine only when grapes from the "finest pedigree" vines are available. He is undoubtedly a Cabernet winemaking guru with harvests and experience in Bordeaux at Château Lafite-Rothschild and Napa Valley as Philippe Melka's right-hand man. Now the Winemaker & Proprietor of Fayard Winemaking, Julien consults for brands such as Covert, Somnium, Sire, and Purlieu while crafting his label, Julien Fayard Wines. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley vineyards is right up his alley as he feels, in his own words, "As a winemaker, my job is to bring out the best qualities that the vines have provided. I don't seek to make a style of wine but more so to make wine that sings of its place, history, and uniqueness."

Anton, Lisa, & Julien created the Addendum series as a laboratory of sorts. As they build relationships with growers in the valley, the Addendum label provides space to learn the intricacies of new vineyard sources and explore different varietals. While the fruit for the First Addendum hails from two vineyard sources on the eastern side of Napa Valley, it is predominantly from the Grigsby Vineyard in Yountville. The Rocca Family has farmed and tended this site since 1999 and transitioned to fully organic practices by 2006. Grigsby's prime location at the base of the Vaca range and mid-valley means well-draining soils and a balance of cool nights with warm days.

The 2022 First Addendum is a wine meant to be savored in the present; it is a 100% Napa Cabernet for the everyday. This wine is a welcome indulgence for those who love the style but can't muster the patience for the waiting period in a cellar. The wine aged for 22 months in 70% new French oak, which imparted delicate touches of vanilla and clove that layer with the prevailing dark fruit aromas. A chorus of black cherry and blackberry flavors burst open on the palate, followed by rapturous underpinnings of cedar, tobacco, and black licorice. While this Cabernet is powerful and robust, a certain finesse balances the acidity and suede-soft tannins. With only five barrels produced, we must act on it quickly as the wines made under the Addendum series are one-off creations.