From America’s first 100 point winemaker, Nils Venge, comes another in a string of extraordinary wines. If you’re looking for something to impress your guests with this holiday season, look no further. This wine has it all, from balanced flavors to an inviting nose, to the elegant mouthfeel and finish.

After the wine opens up it reveals a lush nose of black cherry, ripe blackberry, cassis, spice box, cocoa dust, hard leather and hints of bay laurel nut, softly toasted oak and a hint of cracked peppercorn. Juicy, balanced, dark and delicious on the palate, with spiced black cherry candy, cassis, blackberry preserve, bramble, spice box, subtle leather, tobacco leaf and a hint of cracked peppercorn.

Nils Venge is one of America’s best contemporary winemakers, and we are very proud to have featured nearly 30 of his wonderful wines over these last several years. With each successive vintage, Nils’ wines seem to get better and better.

Saddleback Cellars is located in Napa Valley’s Oakville AVA (American Viticultural Area). The Oakville AVA, centrally located and adjacent to Napa Valley’s famous Rutherford AVA, was established in July 1993. Oakville is considered one of the most diverse AVA’s in the Napa area and grows some of the best Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon in California.

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Here’s what the wine press has to say:

90 points - James Laube, Wine Spectator - “Fresh and zesty, with a lively, spicy mix of blueberry and black- berry flavors. Presented in an elegant style, this is supported by ripe, fine-grained tannins, ending with a long, clean, juicy after- taste. Drink now. 1,190 cases made.”

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Gold medal - Houston Rodeo Gold - Texsom International Wine Awards