Nickel & Nickel 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, State Ranch, Yountville, Napa Valley

Gil Nickel who founded Far Niente started Nickel & Nickel to produce extraordinary single vineyard Napa Valley Cabs. Each is a very low production wine from a unique sub-appellation in Napa Valley. This one comes from the State Ranch vineyard in Yountville, just north of the Stag's Leap District, made famous by Beringer and now by Kapcsandy Estate. The 23-acre vineyard is divided into two parcels by State Lane Road and consists  of both older (planted in 1990) and younger (planted in 2005) vines. Many excellent wines  are produced from this area, in part due to the rocky, loam soil which has excellent drainage throughout the year. The vines, as well as the clusters, are moderate in size and the vineyard gets full sun throughout the day. Nickel & Nickel selects fruit from 14.5 acres of the vineyard for this wine; 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in French oak barrels for 15 months, 48% new.


Wine Enthusiast Magazine scored this 90 points saying "From a site planted to both older and younger vines, this is a juicy, tannic and chalky wine, textured in oak and tannin. Red and black cherry highlight a soft, supple midpalate that develops in the glass, lifted by black pepper and clove."


The Wine Advocate scored this 92 points saying "Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon State Ranch gives up chocolate-covered cherries, wild blueberries and warm cassis scents with touches of violets, star anise, mossy bark and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate offers a good amount of juicy fruit with soft, well played tannins and an earthy finish."


James Suckling scored this 92 points saying "Soft and easy with round tannins and attractive berry, currant, chocolate and almond character. Medium to full body. Delicious finish. Drink now."