WS: 92

Wine Spectator Score

Original Score: 92
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St. Clement Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Oroppas 1998

Winemaker's Notes:

Winemaker’s Comments With an inky purple hue, this Meritage blend offers aromas of ripe black plum, blackberry and violets on the nose. Saturated fruit flavors of plum, black cherry and berry mingle with nutmeg and mocha, as hints of forest and wintergreen tease the senses. The presentation of lovely ripe, unctuous fruit continues throughout a long finish of black cherry, spices and toasted oak. Varietal Contenet: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Merlot 4% Cabernet Franc

Region: USA » California » Napa

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Winery: St. Clement Vineyards

Color: Red

Variety: Bordeaux Blend

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St. Clement Vineyards:

As the third decade of her life begins, Danielle Cyrot brings a broad scope of international winemaking expertise that extends well beyond her age. And as the descendant of French vignerons whose history goes back for centuries, she is also renewing an enological tradition that had been dormant for three generations. Danielle’s great-, great-grandfather was the last in a long line of ancestors who owned the Cyrot vineyard in Burgundy’s famous Côte de Beaune. He donated the land to the Hospice du Beaune after losing his son (Danielle’s great-grandfather) in World War I (fittingly, there is still a Pommard Cyrot cuvée from this property sold in the Hospice du Beaune auction every year.) Danielle’s grandfather moved to Paris, where her father was later born. They soon moved to St. Etienne where they stayed until her father was 16, after which they returned to Paris. Her father eventually moved to the U.S., and during studies at California Institute of Technology, Danielle’s parents met and settled in California. Though aware of her family’s vinous background, it didn’t occur to Danielle that she could revive that winemaking tradition until she reached college. She enrolled at the University of California, Davis, but had not decided on a major until she took an introductory winemaking class taught by popular professor Carole Meredith. Danielle was hooked almost immediately, and turned her full attention to the study of winemaking. She graduated in 1998 with a degree in Enology and Viticulture. While at Davis, Danielle worked the harvest at several wineries in Napa Valley. After graduation, she was determined to experience winemaking in other wine regions, and traveled to Alsace and South Australia to hone her skills. Danielle returned to Napa from her travels abroad in 1999 and joined the team at Stags’ Leap Winery as an enologist. In 2003, Danielle was promoted to assistant winemaker at Stags’ Leap. Danielle is not one to mark time idly. While at Stags’ Leap, she also began collaborating with another winemaker on a sideline project, TwoTone Farm. She was eager to appeal to younger wine drinkers like her, so the brand was a cutting-edge creation: screw-caps, trendy fonts and reasonable pricing. It was an immediate hit. Danielle now turns her full attention to St. Clement. With a range of vineyards to work with, she can utilize her creativity to its fullest in crafting rich, unique wines. For Danielle, it’s a family tradition. Read less

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Member Reviews for St. Clement Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Oroppas

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EMark

10,430

11/01/2012

Nice dark clear purple. Blackberry aromas, some slight oak. Nice tip-of-the-tongue fruit flavors, that then spread across the palate. Not as full-bodied a wine as I might have suspect, but, certainly, no wimp. Very mellow tannins--fairly smooth wine. While I think this is a very good wine, I think some air and a some warmth (I just pulled it out of the cellar) will provide some improvement. $45 at the winery in St. Helena in 2001.

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