Freemark Abbey
Rooted in History
2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford
Auction 27 | Lot No. 48
Vintage: 2021
Freemark Abbey
Rooted in History
Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford
5 cases produced
Highlights
- This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon exudes classic Rutherford nested appellation notes, and is a favorite of winemaker Kristy Melton
- A blend of our top single-vineyard wines sourced from the iconic Bosché and Sycamore vineyards
- Aromas of dark chocolate, black cherry, fresh cedar and graphite with a rich, layered palate
- Unfiltered and aging 24 months in 75% new French oak, this wine has the power to age for several decades
Description
This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted from the best barrels of the Bosché and Sycamore vineyards—two iconic Napa Valley vineyards, whose historical ties with Freemark Abbey go back nearly 100 years combined. A blend of our top two single-vineyard wines, this wine is extra special to winemaker Kristy Melton, not only because it represents the winery’s history of pioneering vineyard-designate wines, but also because it epitomizes Freemark Abbey’s unwavering mission to craft classically structured Cabernet Sauvignon of the highest quality. Your wine displays those classic Rutherford notes—opulent fruit, elegant acidity and that fine, dusty texture that famed winemaker André Tchelistcheff coined “Rutherford Dust.” The nose lures you in with aromas of dark chocolate, black cherry, fresh cedar and graphite, only to seduce you with a rich, layered palate of espresso, plum pie, blackberry and forest floor. Vibrant and integrated textures make this wine lovely now, with the ability to age for decades in the cellar.
Kristy Melton
Winemaker, Freemark Abbey
Kristy Melton has more than a decade of experience crafting wines with structure, finesse, and age-worthiness. Before joining Freemark Abbey, Kristy held winemaking roles at several Napa Valley and Sonoma County wineries including Clos Du Val, Bootleg, Kendall-Jackson, Saintsbury, and others. In her role as Director of Winemaking at Napa Valley’s iconic Clos Du Val, her exceptional ability to craft modern wines of balance and elegance was widely credited for the winery’s reemergence as a leader in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon production.
An El Paso, Texas native, Kristy graduated with a BS in Biology and Animal Science from Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. Following a passion for science, she began her career as a research scientist at the prestigious National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. To afford living in the metropolitan area, she supplemented her wages by bartending and working at a winery in Maryland. This brought her into contact with food and wine aficionados and piqued her interest in both. A family trip to Napa Valley brought the realization of the science that underlies winemaking and inspired her to shift her focus towards wine. She enrolled at the University of California at Davis where she earned a Masters in Viticulture and Enology in 2007.
Honored to be named among Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s "Top 40 under 40 Tastemakers" as well as Drinks Business’ "Top 30 under 40 Winemakers to Watch," Kristy leverages her meticulous attention to detail to craft wines of structure, finesse and balance.
Country born: United States
Education: Master's of Science, Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis
Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years
Honors / Awards:
Wine Enthusiast Magazine's "Top 40 under 40 Tastemakers"
Drinks Business "Top 30 under 40 Winemakers to Watch"
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