Cuvaison
2019 Pinot Noir
"The Next Fifty"
Los Carneros AVA
Auction 24 | Lot No. 157
Vintage: 2019
Cuvaison
Pinot Noir
Los Carneros
10 cases produced
Highlights
- From the finest blocks of our Los Carneros nested appellation estate, this one-of-a-kind wine embodies evolution
- A blend of heritage selections and the finest Dijon clones, foretelling Cuvaison’s next 50 years
- Planted in the heart of the hills, where shallow soil and natural airflow yield exquisite Pinot Noir
- The clay soils and cool temperature of this fog-swept vineyard produce a dazzling medley of rare red and black fruit flavors
Description
The storied viticultural history of the Cuvaison Estate Vineyard began with the old heritage Pinot Noir selections available at the time: Martini, Swan, Pommard and Coury. In the 1990s Cuvaison’s team added elite Dijon Clones like 115, 667 and 777. Today, the vineyard also features the Calera, Mt. Eden, 828 and 943 clones. This remarkable diversity allows for tremendous complexity in Cuvaison’s Pinot Noirs, as well as the artful layering of aromas and flavors — all anchored by the fascinating underlying terroir of Cuvaison’s singular site. The result is dazzling and thought-provoking Pinot Noir that brings together the graceful brightness and minerality that are signatures of the estate’s terroir, with the earthy, more dark-fruit and spice notes derived from the hillside topography.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
- Wine is produced in a Napa Green winery
Sally Nightingale
Winemaker, Cuvaison
With more than 15 years of experience working with cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir on three continents, Sally Nightingale guides small lot winemaking at Cuvaison, with a focus on exploring the diversity of our renowned 200-acre Los Carneros estate to create our acclaimed Small Lot, Micro Lot and Legacy wines. In collaboration with longtime Winemaker Steve Rogstad, Sally also guides Cuvaison’s research program in areas such as yeast trials, cooperage selection, clonal and rootstock combinations, and innovative viticultural and vinification techniques, with the goal of continually elevating Cuvaison’s wines to ever-greater heights.
Sally was raised on a sheep farm near Australia’s famed Coonawarra wine region, where she developed a love of the land, and a passion for wine, early in life. After working her first winery internship at the age of 15, she went on to earn a B.S. in winemaking and a B.A. in agricultural science from the University of Adelaide in 2003. The following year, Sally join the winemaking team at New Zealand’s Wither Hills Winery. Eager to gain a more global perspective, while also developing a focus on small-lot Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Sally spent a year abroad with Wither Hill’s blessing, working at Andy Smith’s DuMOL winery in Sonoma County, and at Maison Camille Giroud in Burgundy.
In 2006, after returning from France, Sally was named the assistant winemaker at Wither Hills, where she honed her craft working alongside noted winemakers Ben Glover and Nadine Croft. “Ben taught me to listen to the land and the vines, to push boundaries and try new things,” says Sally. “Nadine instilled in me the importance of organization, attention to the smallest details, and to constantly strive for excellence. My style is a marriage of these two approaches.” In recognition of her skill and gifted palate, Sally was promoted to lead winemaker for Wither Hills’ Pinot Noir and Chardonnay programs in 2008, where she spent the next decade refining the winery’s approach to the great Burgundian varietals.
In 2019, after 15 years at Wither Hills, Sally returned to California to become the small lot and research winemaker for Cuvaison. “As a winemaker who has dedicated my professional life to making Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this is a remarkable opportunity to work with an historic winery and vineyard in one of the world’s great cool-climate wine regions. I love focusing on small parcels of our estate, and the iconic vineyards we partner with. It’s incredibly inspiring to be in Los Carneros exploring different expressions of terroir.
Country born: Australia
Education: B.S. Winemaking and B.A. Agricultural Science - University of Adelaide
Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years
Liquor Barn
101 South Fifth Street Suite 3800
Louisville KY 40202
502-589-8181
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Liquor Barn:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuvaison | 2019 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | The Next Fifty | 24 (2020) |
| Gargiulo Vineyards | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | G Major Augmented | 24 (2020) |
| Louis M. Martini Winery | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 24 (2020) | |
| Nickel & Nickel | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | John C. Sullenger | 24 (2020) |
| Paraduxx | 2018 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Stylishly Napa Valley | 24 (2020) |
| Tres Sabores | 2018 | Zinfandel | Rutherford | 24 (2020) | |
| Yao Family Wines | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 24 (2020) | |
| Belle Glos | 2017 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | Eulenloch | 23 (2019) |
| Ca' Momi | 2017 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | 23 (2019) | |
| Eleven Eleven | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | 23 (2019) | |
| Emerson Brown | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Clone 338 Special | 23 (2019) |
| Girard Winery | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 23 (2019) | |
| Ideology Cellars | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Cento | 23 (2019) |
| Rombauer Vineyards | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | 23 (2019) | |
| Salvestrin | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Dr. Crane Vineyard Homestead | 23 (2019) |
| Tres Sabores | 2017 | Zinfandel | Rutherford | 23 (2019) | |
| Clos Du Val | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Full Circle | 22 (2018) |
| Leaf And Vine | 2017 | Chardonnay | Oakville | Unicorn Tears | 22 (2018) |
| Twomey | 2016 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 22 (2018) | |
| FARM Napa Valley | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | 20 (2016) | |
| Sterling Vineyards | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Old Friends | 20 (2016) |
| Rutherford Hill Winery | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 19 (2015) | |
| Sequoia Grove Winery | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Healy Vineyard | 19 (2015) |
| LATERAL | 2012 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | 18 (2014) | |
| Canard Vineyard | 2011 | Red Wine | Calistoga | 17 (2013) | |
| William Hill Estate Winery | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Bench Blend | 16 (2012) |
| Ardente Winery | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | Grande Riserva | 15 (2011) |
| Domaine Chandon | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | 15 (2011) | |
| Newton Vineyard | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | Piece of the Puzzle | 14 (2010) |
Winery Distribution
Cuvaison is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
International:
- Austria (Gottardi)
- Belgium (Vinam)
- Canada - Alberta (Select Wines)
- Canada - Ontario (Select Wines)
- Canada - Quebec (Select Wines)
- Caribbean (Service Innovations)
- Costa Rica (Gourmet Imports)
- Denmark (Lundens vin Kompagni)
- Japan (Fuji Industries Co. LTD)
- Mexico (Service Innovations)
- Panama, Republic of (Felipe Motta)
- Puerto Rico (Service Innovations)
- Sweden (Jakobsson & Soderstrom AB)
- Switzerland (Napa Wine)
- Thailand (Independent W&S)
- United Kingdom (Thorman Hunt)