Saint Helena
TASTING NOTES:
2016 - “Blackberry, blackcurrant and black cherry aromas are complemented by cedar, sage, and thyme notes. These flavors carry through on the palate, supported by substantial but soft, supple tannins. Notes of espresso, dark chocolate, and a hint of tobacco develop on the lingering finish. This is a wine of great length and complexity that will continue to evolve in the glass and cellar.” (AbV 14.3%, pH 3.66, TA 6.5 g/L)
2017 - “Black cherry, blackberry, and blackcurrant aromas are complemented by hints of mocha and dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine is silky in texture, but it has a delightfully surprising tannic grip. Notes of espresso and dark chocolate-covered cherries stand out against a background of lush fruit flavors. The lingering, complex finish promise a great future for this wine.” (AbV 14.5%, pH 3.82, TA 5.8 g/L)
VARIETALS: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
BARRELS: N/A
PAIRS WITH: Wild mushroom risotto, rigatoni with salsiccia and ricotta, grilled baby back ribs, a slab of thick-cut bacon, or a pasta in Bolognese sauce.
THAT REMINDS ME OF: Saint Helena.
Now, Saint Helena could refer to a number of things. There are three people named Saint Helena, the principal of whom was the mother of Emperor Constantine, who himself was also sainted. There’s St. Helena, California, which is of course the location these wines came from. Various other St. Helenas around the US. Then there’s the island Saint Helena.
A volcanic island in the South Atlantic, it was uninhabited up until its discovery by Portuguese sailors in the early 16th century. It became a common port for traders returning from Asia, eventually colonized in full by the English in the mid-17th century with the establishment of a permanent settlement in Jamestown. Most people know the island as the place Napoleon got plopped down for exile until his death.
