Mission Codename Chalkin' it up
“Super-impressive wines with beautiful purity, balance, texture, and complexity.” - Robert Parker
Here it is.
All you lovers of rich, rockin’ ripe, and ultra-premium red deals. A stupendous 95-rated Bordeaux blend from a Sonoma legacy just landed in our warehouse. Mind you this is NOT their inexpensive entry-level red cuvée that hits your corner store, but the flagship ESTATE red that gives out serious Silver Oak or almost Opus One vibes.
It’s out there at a chunky $70-75.
From us, slimmed down to $47 makes it IRRESISTABLE…
Sure, there are cheaper wines. And thinner steaks. And V6 Mustangs (even electric ones these days). And furniture made from particleboard. And jeans that look like 501s. And… you get the drift.
But this is the real deal. A pumped-up, rock-solid wine that WILL overdeliver. Chalk Hill has been a pillar of the CA wine scene for decades, ever since Fred Furth spotted the one-of-a-kind location from an airplane in 1972. Today wine magnate Bill Foley owns the estate and continues to support its legacy.
This stacked red is led by just about half Cab, with a balance of Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Carménère. A bold recipe, all sustainably farmed and raised in substantial new French oak. Loaded with heaps of red cherry, vanilla, tobacco, cedar up front. Darker, riper wild berries, a dusting of cocoa powder, and some cardamom too join the palate party. A big-bodied, opulent red, lavishly fruited with just enough balance to keep it classy. Drinking way above the $100 line in quality, this is best cellared or saved for a special occasion night with say a prime rib or roast game feast.
As Wine Spectator recently summed it up Chalk Hill “built its early reputation on Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and later received outstanding scores for Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon blends, as well.”
And look where we are today, while it lasts.
95 Points – The Tasting Panel
“Aged 21 months in (61% new) French oak, this dynamic, refined, and texturally thrilling blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot, and 2% Carménère opens with scents of red cherry, boysenberry, and coffee. Melting dark chocolate defines the grainy mouthfeel as powdered plum-skin tannins take hold. Winemaker Courtney Foley’s talented handiwork results in a well-built engine that purrs to the finish.”
92+ Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Deep ruby-purple, the 2018 Estate Red is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot and 2% Carménère. It has lush aromas of dark cherries, cigar box, integrated baking spices and a waft of bay leaf. The palate is full-bodied with a ripe, grainy frame and seamless freshness, balancing its mineral-laced fruits with still youthful but very classy new oak. It deserves another 2-3 years in bottle. Drink 2021-2030.”
What the Winery Says
2018 'Estate Red' Cabernet Blend
- Senior winemaker
- Michael Beaulac
- Winemaker
- Courtney Foley
- Vintage
- 2018
- Varietals
- 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot, 2% Carménère
- Alcohol
- 15.5%
- Appellation
- Chalk Hill, Sonoma County
- Vineyard
- Chalk Hill Estate Vineyard
- Harvest dates
- October 25 - November 18, 2018
- Average yields
- 2.9 Tons / Acre
- Average Brix at harvest
- 25.5°
- Total acidity
- 5.62 g/L
- pH
- 3.69
- Aging
- 21 months
- Barrels
- 100% French Oak (61% new)