Vineyard

“Family farmed for five generations - In the heart of the famed St. Helena appellation lies historic Varozza Vineyards.  It's there that 38 stunning, family-farmed acres containing some of Napa Valley's most sought-after varietals are grown.  The vineyard consists of seventeen blocks in which eight varietals, including some of Napa Valley's oldest Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel vines, have found their home.  Owned and farmed by the Varozza family for over 100 years, the vineyard is now under the careful watch of Jack Varozza, whose passion for his family's land is evident in the extraordinary character of fruit it bears. Dry farmed and sustainably managed, the Varozza Vineyard delivers unparalleled concentration and elegance to its fruit and, later, to its signature wines.

Vintage Notes

The 2018 vintage in California was one that rewarded patience.  A welcome reprieve from the string of hot, drought-prone years that preceded it, and the disastrous nature of the wildfires that impacted 2017, this new vintage granted Napa Valley and many other viticultural areas a ripe but balanced crop. The near picture-perfect growing season began with budbreak in late February. Spring was mild, with extended flowering yielding uniform grape clusters. Temperatures remained steady and warm throughout the growing season, without any significant heat spikes, making for an even, unhurried harvest. After a brief bout of rain at the start of October slowed things down a little, the slightly lighter-than-average (yet largest since 2012) crop size allowed continued ripening under gentle conditions.

Vinification

The grapes are hand-harvested and gently crushed to retain 40% whole berries. The free-run and press wines were kept separate; the resulting bottled wine is almost entirely from free-run juice.  Following fermentation the wine went through malo-lactic fermentation in barrel.  The wine was aged in 100% French oak barrels (30% new) for 20 months and racked several times to naturally clarify the wine and soften the tannins. With no filtration or fining, the wine was laid down in bottle prior to release.

Tasting Notes

Very dark precise fruit, chestnut, dried cherry, a bouquet that suggests gravitas and opulence. The palate delivers a most grand entrance revealing Bell classic elegance. Dense black fruits dominate while dark cocoa, dried flowers and sweet oak integrate nicely. Leather, oak and a hint of char linger on the finish. The Varozza vineyard is a very exciting addition to our single vineyard Cabernet sauvignon portfolio, showcasing St. Helena at its best.

Technical Analysis   

Varietal                  Cabernet Sauvignon (100%)

Source                   Varozza Vineyard, St. Helena, Napa Valley

Harvest Date         October 11 - November 3rd, 2018

Harvest Sugar       27.4 Brix

Harvest Acid         0.33 gm/100ml

Total Acid              0.57 gm/100ml

pH                          3.71

Alcohol                  14.9%

Aging                     20 months in 100% French Oak, 20% New

Bottle Date            July 29, 2020

Production            225 cases