THE GRADE Cellars
2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
"'15 Men"
Calistoga AVA
Auction 21 | Lot No. 152
Vintage: 2015
THE GRADE Cellars
Cabernet Sauvignon
Calistoga
5 cases produced
Highlights
- From Block 5 in Winfield Estate Vineyard consisting of Clone 337 on SO4 rootstock in alluvial soils
- Considered as consistently the best block by Thomas Rivers Brown with its small berries and moderate yields
- Selected from the best of the vintage’s new French oak barrels by owners and winemaker
- Exceptionally attended to by crews motivated by Block 5’s reputation, with extensive barrel tastings
Description
’15 Men is a tribute to our team of grapegrowers and winemakers who, through a progression of individual efforts, created our best five cases of Cabernet Sauvignon for Premiere Napa Valley 2017. Whether immigrant or celebrity, each of us work expertly with our mind and our hands and pass our work along the timeline. The human spirit is the backbone of our quality. For the ’15 vintage, we are the ’15 Men. Buds push and the march begins! Ramiro, Jose, Manual, Ramon, Mario and Rodolfo prune, sucker, hedge, and position…Francisco tills…Pepe sprays…Nathan observes…Nacho directs…Eric notates…Tom irrigates…Dan tests…Andy positions…Thomas tastes.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Thomas Rivers Brown
Winemaker, THE GRADE Cellars
Napa Valley is home to many exceptional winemakers. Then there's Thomas Rivers Brown.
Thomas joined THE GRADE Cellars at the end of the 2011 harvest and has brought an exciting new palate and keen vineyard perception to our wine program. He may be known locally as a gentleman with abundant southern charm and a wonderful family, but he is acclaimed internationally for his extraordinary wines.
Thomas is one of the most exciting talents in winemaking today. Born in Sumter, South Carolina, Thomas developed an interest in wine while attending the University of Virginia. He worked the 1997 harvest for Kent Rasmussen before becoming an assistant winemaker for Ehren Jordan, winemaker at Turley Wine Cellars and consultant to a number of other high profile California wineries.
In addition to THE GRADE Cellars wines which he makes for us at Sundance Ranch in Calistoga, TRB is also dedicated to his own project, Rivers-Marie wine, known for its Pinot Noirs and also made at Sundance. When asked what differentiates the many brands he makes, he responds, "I can't really define it, but I know it when I taste it." He takes pride in there not being a recognizable trait in his wines - spoken like a true artist.
In October 2008, Thomas made history as the youngest winemaker to score not just one, but two perfect "100 point" ratings from Robert M. Parker, The Wine Advocate. After his first full vintage at THE GRADE Cellars, Thomas debuted with a "99 point" score from Robert Parker for our 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which we named "Kingly Project", and a "97 point" Parker score for our 2012 Estate Cabernet.
Thomas' athleticism sustains him through the stress of harvest. And his Aston Martin Rapide allows him to materialize, never late, at vineyard meetings.
Country born: United States
Education: University of Virginia, BA
Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years
Honors / Awards:
Food & Wine's Winemaker of the Year 2010
Winemaking Philosophy:
Starting with the belief that the best wine is made in the vineyard, Thomas pursues a non-interventionist style that eschews technology.
Capitol Cellars
5530 Douglas Boulevard Suite 170
Granite Bay CA 95746
916-780-9030
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Capitol Cellars:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE GRADE Cellars | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | '15 Men | 21 (2017) |
| O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | 15 (2011) | |
| David Arthur Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Prima Annata | 14 (2010) |
| O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 14 (2010) | |
| Ovid Napa Valley | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Block 1A | 14 (2010) |
| Realm Cellars | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard C1 Block | 13 (2009) |
| Robert Foley Vineyards and Switchback Ridge | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 13 (2009) | |
| Alpha Omega | 2006 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 12 (2008) | |
| Bressler Vineyards | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | 12 (2008) | |
| Jones Family Vineyards | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 12 (2008) | |
| O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 12 (2008) | |
| Roy Estate | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Voix Basse | 12 (2008) |
| Bravante Vineyards | 2005 | 65% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvigon, 10% Merlot | Howell Mountain | 11 (2007) | |
| Bressler Vineyards | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | 11 (2007) | |
| Brown Estate Vineyards | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon/Zinfandel blend | Chiles Valley District | 11 (2007) | |
| Cliff Lede Vineyards | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Cinnamon Moon | 11 (2007) |
| Jones Family Vineyards | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 11 (2007) | |
| Ladera Vineyards | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Two Mountains | 11 (2007) |
| Livingston Moffett Wines, LLC | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | 11 (2007) | |
| O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | 11 (2007) | |
| Outpost Wines | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | Inaugural Vintage of True Vineyard | 11 (2007) |
| Pahlmeyer | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 11 (2007) | |
| Paradigm Winery | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | CS4C | 11 (2007) |
| Stewart Cellars | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Special Reserve | 11 (2007) |
| The Terraces | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Quarry Vineyard | 11 (2007) |
| William Cole Vineyards | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Hillside | 11 (2007) |
| Wolf Family Vineyards | 2005 | Cabernet Franc | St. Helena | 11 (2007) | |
| Blackbird Vineyards | 2004 | Merlot | Napa Valley | 10 (2006) | |
| Cliff Lede Vineyards | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Haze Jude | 10 (2006) |
| D.R. Stephens Estate | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Moose Valley Vineyard | 10 (2006) |
| Gemstone | 2003 | Proprietary Blend | Yountville | Barrel +12 | 10 (2006) |
| Jones Family Vineyards | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 10 (2006) | |
| O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 10 (2006) | |
| Pahlmeyer | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon Blend | Napa Valley | 10 (2006) | |
| Pride Mountain Vineyards | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Summit Ranch | 10 (2006) |
| Revana Family Vineyard | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Heidi's Selection | 10 (2006) |
| The Terraces | 2004 | 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Zinfandel | Rutherford | Quarry Cuvée | 10 (2006) |
| Wolf Family Vineyards | 2004 | Cabernet Franc | St. Helena | Estate Grown and Bottled | 10 (2006) |
| Clark-Claudon Vineyards | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 9 (2005) | |
| D.R. Stephens Estate | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 9 (2005) | |
| Dyer Vineyard | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 9 (2005) | |
| Husic Vineyards | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | 9 (2005) | |
| Kathryn Hall Vineyards | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 9 (2005) | |
| Lewis Cellars | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 9 (2005) | |
| O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 9 (2005) | |
| PlumpJack Winery | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 9 (2005) | |
| Tor Kenward Family Wines | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 9 (2005) | |
| Viader Vineyards and Winery | 2004 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | 9 (2005) | |
| Arietta | 2002 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Trio | 8 (2004) |
| Livingston Moffett Wines, LLC | 2001 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | New Estate Clone | 7 (2003) |
| Pahlmeyer | 2001 | Cabernet Sauvignon blend | Napa Valley | 7 (2003) | |
| Luna Vineyards | 1997 | Sangiovese | Napa Valley | Reserve | 3 (1999) |
| Reverie on Diamond Mountain | 1995 | Red Table Wine | Napa Valley | 3 (1999) | |
| Pahlmeyer | 1996 | Merlot | Napa Valley | 2 (1998) |
Winery Distribution
THE GRADE Cellars is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.