Vangone Estate Block B Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2021

Off the beaten path describes Vangone Estate to a “T.” Nestled between Pritchard Hill and Atlas Peak, the rugged property overlooks Oakville’s red hills from a 1,000 ft. elevation.? To access the vineyards, one must drive 20 minutes south as the crow flies and then trek back through the dirt country roads of the Vaca Range to reach the gate.? Deeming them an under-the-radar brand almost seems an overstatement, with their total winery production being under 700 cases across four wines.? The property is truly a diamond in the rough, with its isolation making it an outlier of the best kind, boasting a distinct terroir all its own.

Diamonds take time and patience to form, so the Davidowski family (Vangone’s vintners) invested 20 years into developing the property before any vines bore fruit.? Purchased in 1993 by Ron & Karen Davidowski, the parcel spanned 108 acres and required establishing infrastructure and utilities before planting any vineyards.? In 2011, they planted 20 acres of vineyard, comprised predominantly of Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Cabernet Franc.? Winemaker Sam Kaplan and Vineyard Manager Mario Bazan work hand-in-hand to perfect the vines and extract the essence of this stellar property.? While you may not know the Vangone name, it’s possible you have tasted the grapes before, as the fruit has been sold to wineries like Frias, Memento Mori, and Pahlmeyer.

And why is it called Vangone, you ask?? When the remote property was in the early stages of development, police noticed an abandoned van on the property.? Upon further inspection, they found it jam-packed with a controlled substance that, at the time, was not yet legalized.? The owner mentioned the problem to a vineyard worker, and when he inquired about the van’s whereabouts the next day, the reply was “Van gone.”

Their Block B bottling comes from a less than one-acre parcel planted solely to Clone 412 Cabernet Sauvignon.? 412 is a prized clone for its small, concentrated berries, medium acidity, and higher sugar levels.? Block B is particularly rocky, which brings more intense acidity and helps to temper the sugar of the clone.? Aged in 100% new French oak for 20 months, there is a fresh verve running through the palate, which is balanced by sturdy tannins.? Dark fruit aromas of black plum and wild blackberry mingle with savory tones of cedar and sage.? This Cabernet will stand the test of time and can be cellared for future enjoyment, ideally for 5-10 years...if you can manage to wait that long.