2019 Elyse Holbrook Mitchell Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2019 Elyse Holbrook Mitchell Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2019 Elyse Holbrook Mitchell Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon At its heart, this Cabernet from the Holbrook Mitchell Vineyard expresses a cool elegance that is rare in Napa Valley Cabernets. Smooth, crisp black cherry fruit envelops nuanced cedar notes. Wrapped around the black cherry core are hints of thyme, sandalwood and cinnamon stick. This profile creates a juicy, fruit forward Cabernet that plays well with any cuisine, enticing your palate for another sip, and another bite. Soft velvety tannins entwine with elegant fruit on the finish. THE VINEYARD The Holbrook Mitchell Vineyard is nestled at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains on the western edge of Yountville, an AVA since 1999. This site has been continually farmed since 1878 as orchards, dairy, and finally vineyard. The mature vines persevere in shallow soils, yielding low quantities of expressive grapes. The area offers a unique combination in Napa both with soil and climate. The soil is sedimentary in origin, gravelly alluvial earth with rock. Climatically, the cool marine currents from San Pablo Bay to the south are trapped when they reach what are known as the Yountville Mounts, keeping the air naturally cooler even on the warmest summer days and allowing the grapes plenty of time to develop distinct flavors and show off the local “terroir.”

In 1983, Nancy and Ray Coursen arrived in California from Cape Cod to fulfill Ray’s dream of making wine and Nancy’s taste for adventure. After working harvest at Mt. Eden Winery in Saratoga, they moved to Napa Valley and became innkeepers for a bed and breakfast. Ray then spent formative time at Tonella Vineyard Management, where he gained philosophical perspective and practical knowledge working in the vineyards. Ray’s nine year tenure at Whitehall Lane Winery under the tutelage of Art Finkelstein, first as a cellar worker and then as head winemaker, honed his skills in the art of blending and was the inspiration for Ray’s winemaking style. The year 1986 saw the arrival of a daughter, Elyse Sarah.
In 1987, Ray and Nancy started the Elyse brand with 286 cases of Zinfandel from the Morisoli Vineyard , which is still a cornerstone vineyard source for the winery. After a decade of nomadic winemaking at various custom crush facilities, in 1997 they purchased a small winery and vineyard on Hoffman Lane, the home of Elyse Winery and tasting room. Since then, Elyse has blossomed into a portfolio of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah focused on pure expression of fruit with a sense of place. For the next twenty years Elyse would become the launching pad for countless Napa Valley wine lovers to explore some of regions most celebrated vineyards.After thirty years of stewardship, Ray and Nancy decided that it was time to retire. What began as a casual conversation over dinner evolved into the next chapter for Elyse Winery. In October 2018, Ray and Nancy Coursen sold Elyse Winery to fellow Yountville locals, Josh Peeples, and his partner, Cheryl. Perfect timing for both parties, the torch has been passed to continue the same passion for the decades to come. In addition, Josh brings his other brands Addax, Standard Deviation, and Institution to the Elyse family of wines.”