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Saturday, January 11, 2020

Accendo Cabernet - a new project from Araujo




2015 Accendo Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon...$329.99
Produced from 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon offers up profound wild blueberries, freshly crushed blackberries and chocolate-covered cherries scents with suggestions of Chinese five spice, Sichuan pepper, bay leaves and lavender plus a savory touch of yeast extract. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the mouth with expressive, multilayered blue and black fruits, all supported by ripe, fine-grained tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long with a compelling earthiness coming through.
Rated 97+/100 Wine Advocate
Offers ample fruit, as creamy boysenberry, blackberry and blueberry notes glide through easily, framed liberally with warm cocoa and vanilla details and ending with a long, polished feel. Subtle mint and tobacco elements peek through at the very end, keeping this nicely grounded. Fruit-driven but built to last. Drink now through 2038. 617 cases made.
Rated 95/100 Wine Spectator
Rated 97/100 Vinous Media



Accendo Cellars is Bart and Daphne Araujo’s new project, following the incredible success and eventual sale of Araujo Estate, now known as Eisele Vineyard after the property’s jewel vineyard that dates back to the 1800s, which was purchased by Francois Pinault of Chateau Latour fame in 2013. So, what could the Araujo’s possibly do for a follow-up act to reestablishing one of Napa Valley’s most historic, iconic single vineyards? They decided to take inspiration from another era in Napa’s rich history—that of the mid-twentieth century, when blending wines from vineyards throughout the valley was the norm. The Araujos explained that Accendo Cellars is about getting back to “old style Napa,” somewhat in spite of global warming. They wanted to achieve wines of restraint and elegance by being able to bring in fruit earlier, but they also wanted to achieve all the layers and complexity possessed by the greatest wines of the world. They have thus far selected to work with several vineyards, including Sleeping Lady, Vine Hill Ranch and Oakville Ranch, to produce their first efforts. The blending process is overseen by none other than master-blender Michel Rolland. Bravo to the Araujos and Rolland for, in particular, superbly capturing the best of the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon vintage attributes so singularly and poignantly!

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