Mission Codename Best Second
2011 was a tough year for most California wineries. Some experienced fruit that never ripened. Other experienced very late ripening. Seavey’s solution for this wine was to only choose those vineyard blocks that achieved ripeness at all. This meant that batches of fruit had to come off the vines at very different times and then fermented separately - and blended together later. This also added to the complexity of the process - and, more importantly, to the overall complexity of the wine, which shows more like a more flavorful and concentrated 2012.
Credit the awesome winemaking superpowers of Philippe Melka (consulting) and winemaker Jim Duane. Mister Melka makes wine for Napa Valley’s most elite cult wineries, including Cliff Lede, Roy Estate, Hundred Acre, Quintessa, Dalla Valle, Bryant Family Vineyards and others. Melka began his career at Chateau Haut Brion and later Chateau Petrus before gracing the Napa Valley with his extraordinary talents.
We’re very lucky to have gotten a small allocation of today’s fantastic Seavey Vineyard 2011 Caravina Cabernet Sauvignon and we hope that you’ll take advantage of our very special price. With today’s special coupon, our price is the lowest legitimate price around. We hope that you’ll try some of this elegant, expressive, bright and very delicious wine.
Warm aromas of a dark fruit galette of plum and blackberry resonate in the mouth, gently wrapped in a waft of rose petals. Neither opulent nor heavy, but revealing lively concentration and intensity, this wine exemplifies the savoriness of this unique growing season. This wine’s subtle complexity and harmony is revealed by an intriguing long-lived finish. “There is no shortage of personality here…” - 91 points - Antonio Galloni, Nov. 2013, Vinous.
What the Winery Says
2011 'Caravina' Seavey Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winemaker
- Jim Duane
- Consultant Winemaker
- Philippe Melka
- Blend
- 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot
- Production
- 1500 cases produced
- Alcohol
- 14.3%
- Barrels
- 100% French oak (50% new)
- Cellaring
- 5-10 years