2013 MR Michel Rolland Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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Michel Rolland is the world's most famous winemaker. This is his only namesake wine from California.

Fruit comes from Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper, Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Dr Crane and Stage Coach vineyards, some of the most sought after and premium in the Napa Valley. Only 225 cs produced

About the Winemaker

Jean Hoefliger was born and raised in Switzerland. His initial experience took him from Switzerland to Bordeaux, and South Africa, making wine at the esteemed estates of Chateau Lynch-Bages, Chateau Carbonnieux, and Meerlust. Completing a winemaking and viticulture degree at the Swiss federal school of Changins, Jean came to California where he spent five years as winemaker for Newton Vineyard.

After Jean’s time at Newton, he was approached by a new project, Alpha Omega, to build a brand as Winemaker and General Manager. This opportunity gave Jean the ability to solidify and build relationships with the top growers in Napa Valley. Alpha Omega also gave Jean the experience growing a Direct to Consumer business with distribution nationally.

In 2005, Jean began working as a Consulting Winemaker for different wineries and chateau’s in different parts of the world – from Napa Valley to Switzerland to Italy. The brands include Clark Claudon, located on Howell Mountain; Decades 5, a 100% Petit Verdot from Stagecoach Vineyard; Armanino Family Cellars, which has Pinot Noir’s from Santa Lucia Highlands, Russian River and Santa Rita Hills, as well as Cabernet from Napa Valley; Speratus, a small production winery whose proceeds go to fund scholarships to De La Salle High School; Monteverro, an Italian Chateau located on the southern tip of Tuscany with their inaugural release in 2008; and Zanolari Wines, a Swiss project making Pinot Noir and Valtellina; The Debate, three single vineyard 100% Cabernet Sauvignon’s from Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper, To Kalon and Dr. Crane; Michel Rolland’s first Napa Valley wine, MR; Red Hawk Tail a Cabernet Sauvignon from Mt Veeder in Napa Valley; Sunshine Valley a Cabernet Sauvignon located in Oak Knoll District in Napa Valley; and Steve Viets Cellars a Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Jean’s passion, knowledge, scientific training and innate ability put him in a unique position to take the best grapes around the world and transform them into wines worthy of world class standing.

About the Vineyards

To Kalon Vineyard

Beckstoffer Heritage Vineyard

Perhaps the most famous of the Beckstoffer vineyards, Beckstoffer To Kalon was purchased from Beaulieu Vineyard in 1993. Napa pioneer Hamilton Crabb first planted the vineyard in 1868, and it has produced some of the Napa Valley's best red grapes ever since. Replanted in 1994 to multiple clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with modern trellising and closer vine spacing, the vineyard produces several highly coveted vineyard-designated wines.  In 2007 the property was placed under a land conservation easement that forever prohibits non-agricultural development.

Missouri Hopper Vineyard

Beckstoffer Heritage Vineyard

Located north of the town of Yountville in the Oakville AVA, Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper was originally part of a large piece of land owned by George C. Yount, from whom the town of Yountville takes its name. Purchased by Charles Hopper and given to his daughter Missouri in 1877, the land was planted to wine grapes and, as much of the Napa land was at that time, prunes and walnuts. In 1960, the land was purchased by Bruce Kelham as part of the historic Vine Hill Ranch. Purchased by Beckstoffer Vineyards from the Kelham family in 1996, the vineyard is today planted with multiple clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  In 2002, the property was placed under a land conservation easement that forever prohibits non-agricultural development.

Dr. Crane Vineyard

Beckstoffer Heritage Vineyard

Napa pioneer Dr. George Belden Crane originally planted Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard in 1858. During the 1920's the Chinatown of the City of St. Helena was located on the site. Acquired by Beckstoffer Vineyards in 1997, the vineyard’s gravelly loam soils were replanted in 1998 to multiple clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.

Stagecoach Vineyard

Drive six miles up Soda Canyon and you ascend to over 1,800 feet above the valley floor. From the craggy terrain of Pritchard Hill you can gaze onto the expanse of Oakville’s world-famous wine estates far below. This might be called the last frontier of the Napa Valley – a wilder, more rugged country, fragrant with wild herbs and dotted with rare native plants.

It is here that the Krupp brothers, Jan and Bart, have excavated over a billion pounds of basalt, andesite, and tufa boulders to create a remarkable property – Stagecoach Vineyard. Over the past two decades, 600 acres of vines have been planted in 175 uniquely individual blocks among four designated regions. The land and the vision are so dramatic that each day the Krupp team is prepared for some kind of new discovery.

Reclaimed from tenacious growth of chaparral and sagebrush. Excavated of a billion pounds of volcanic rock. And endowed with a plentiful water source found against the advice of seasoned geologists. Stagecoach Vineyard is a marvel of nature and human ingenuity.

Reviews

Michel Rolland's enormous experience and obvious knowledge of great viticulture and winemaking has turned out a 300-case cuvée (14.7% natural alcohol) of exceptional wine. Notes of graphite, créme de cassis, blackberry, and a touch of coffee and white chocolate are present in this wine, which offers elegance, full body, beautiful purity, and sweet, well-integrated tannins. As the wine sits in the glass, some blueberry liqueur notes also develop. This plush, full-bodied wine should hit its prime in 4-5 years and last for 20 or more...

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the big, rich, authoritative 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits lots of licorice, graphite, blackberry and blackcurrant characteristics. It cuts a large, thick, unctuously textured swath across the palate, but then the sweet tannins and good acids pick up the freshness and focus. This big, Pauillac-like Cabernet should be a very long-lived wine. Drink 2018-2035.  ~ 95pts, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate