Sire Mons Imperatoris Cabernet Sauvignon Martinez Vineyard Napa Valley 2023

In 2022, ACME was elated to discover the hidden gem Sire Estate, which has been quietly making 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from some of Napa's premier vineyard sites since 2012. This tiny brand has flown mostly under the radar since its inaugural release. It is a sleeping giant with heavy-hitter Julien Fayard behind the wheel, producing fewer than 200 cases of pure, unadulterated Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with each vintage. Growing up in Northern California and attending De La Salle High School run by the Christian Brothers (yes, those Christian Brothers), Tom Buck gained an appreciation for Napa Valley, winemaking, and the history of the industry in our small valley. Between yearly summer retreats hosted by the Christian Brothers on Mt Veeder and his part-time work as a tour guide and driver in wine country, Tom cemented his passion for educating others on wine and sharing Napa's rich winemaking past.

Then, while studying to earn his post-graduate teaching certification, Tom worked his first grape harvest and was smitten. The magic of harvest stuck with Tom, and he soon realized he didn't want to teach just anything; his field of study would be wine. This calling led him to an eventual purchase of Beau Wine Tours, where he remains President and CEO today, and he continues to share the world of wine with wine-country visitors year-round. As Tom laid the groundwork to launch a personal label, he vetted multiple candidates and determined that Julien Fayard best aligned with the philosophies he sought in a winemaking partner. These shared values honed in on perfecting Cabernet Sauvignon from excellent vineyard sources, making wine only when grapes from the "finest pedigree" vines were available. Julien can undoubtedly be considered a Cabernet winemaking "thoroughbred" 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, he consults for brands such as Covert, Somnium, and Purlieu while crafting his label, Julien Fayard Wines. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from single-vineyard sources 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, its history, and its uniqueness."

With a brand focused on showcasing 100% Cabernet Sauvignons from all over Napa Valley, it is only natural to highlight the “honorary” AVA, Pritchard Hill. Rising 1,200 feet above the valley floor is the Martinez Vineyard. This 41-acre property has 16 acres of vineyard planted in its iron-rich, stone-studded clay soils. Large rocks and boulders are present deep down in the mountain's soils and often have to be removed to plant vineyards. This geological trademark explains the impressive and distinctive minerality of red wines from Pritchard Hill. Along with the unique soils, Martinez Vineyard reaps the benefits of Northern exposure, and the nearby Lake Hennessey helps moderate both soaring and plummeting temperatures.

Julien and Tom crafted Mons Imperatoris (Emperor's Mountain) from Clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon planted at Martinez Vineyard. The wine fermented in stainless steel for almost one month before barreling down to 80% new French oak. After 22 months of aging, the wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered. It has a serious tannic structure and a full body, with a certain minerality atop nuanced flavors of black and blue fruits and smoky tobacco. The concentration and depth persevere through the long finish. This wine is built to last and will be at its peak in 20-30 years, or after an hour-long decant for those who prefer to revel in it sooner.