Gandona Estate
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley AVA
Auction 24 | Lot No. 188
Vintage: 2018
Gandona Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
5 cases produced
Highlights
- 100% Clone 337 Cabernet Sauvignon from our Pritchard Hill estate
- Fermented in concrete tanks and on the skins for 27 days
- Aging in 80% new French oak
- 100% native-yeast fermentation
Description
From the highest and steepest terraces on the estate, the 2018 Gandona Premiere Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon shows great purity of fruit and place. Block H is the heart of Gandona, consistently expressing a tremendous depth and complexity that forms the core of our wines. 2018 was a classic year on our estate, ideal for both grape-growing and winemaking. This wine is texturally elegant with fine, earthy tannin yet exudes a freshness and energy with notes of black currant fruit and wild blueberry.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Philippe Melka
Winemaker, Gandona Estate
Philippe spent much of his youth in Bordeaux, France, earning a geology degree from the University of Bordeaux. On a whim, he took a wine course in his final year of study - a decision that changed his life.
His journey started at Chateau Haut Brion (where the passion for Cabernet-based blends and Sauvignon Blanc began) where he completed a Masters program in Agronomy and Enology under the direction of Professor Sequin, the renowned terroir specialist. Philippe was fascinated by the relationship between soil and wine quality, a fascination which continues today.
Yearning to know more, he set out for Napa Valley (Dominus Estate), Western Australia (Chittering Estate), Chianti in Italy (Badia O Coltibuono) and Bordeaux (Chateau Petrus) where he divided his time between soil study and winemaking. He has devoted the past 15 years to winemaking in Napa and Sonoma Valleys - both as a consultant to the most highly regarded estate wineries, and as co-proprietor of Melka Wines with wife, Cherie.
Country born: France
Education: Geology Degree from the University of Bordeaux, France
Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
I believe a wine should tell the story of the soil and represent what the land has to offer. Understanding the vineyard and its potential is a continually evolving process. With each year, I become more inspired by the ability of the land of Gandona.
Nos Caves Vin
2501 Wroxton
Houston TX 77005
713-722-0181
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Nos Caves Vin:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chandon | 2007 | Sparkling Wine | Yountville | Yountville Vintage Brut - Library Selection | 28 (2024) |
| Jean Edwards Cellars | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Four of a Kind | 28 (2024) |
| Hyde Estate | 2021 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Larry Hyde | 26 (2022) |
| Matthiasson | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Phoenix Vineyard | 25 (2021) |
| Etude | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | Clone 4 Meteor Vineyard | 24 (2020) |
| Gandona Estate | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 24 (2020) | |
| Spoto Family Wines | 2018 | Cabernet Franc | Oakville | Oakville Station | 24 (2020) |
| Volker Eisele Family Estate | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Chiles Valley District | 24 (2020) | |
| Boich Family Cellar | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Proprietor's Barrel | 23 (2019) |
| Ehlers Estate | 2017 | Cabernet Franc | St. Helena | 23 (2019) | |
| Canard Vineyard | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 22 (2018) | |
| von Strasser & Lava Vine Winery | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | So Sori, Sori Bricco Vineyard | 22 (2018) |
| Cairdean Estate | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | Acquaintance Vineyard | 20 (2016) |
| Chase Cellars | 2015 | Zinfandel | St. Helena | Hayne Vineyard | 20 (2016) |
| Cliff Lede Vineyards | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Cinnamon Devil | 20 (2016) |
| Larkmead Vineyards | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | A5W | 20 (2016) |
| Pride Mountain Vineyards | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Summit Select | 20 (2016) |
| Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 20 (2016) | |
| THE GRADE Cellars | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | Fourteener | 20 (2016) |
| Paoletti Estates Winery | 2012 | Malbec | Calistoga | 18 (2014) | |
| Oakville East Exposure | 2011 | Cabernet Franc | Oakville | Majek | 17 (2013) |
| Clos Pegase | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Antipodes | 16 (2012) |
| Derenoncourt California | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | A Tale of Two Terroirs | 16 (2012) |
| Meteor Vineyard | 2009 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Celestia (90% Cabernet /10% Petite Verdot) | 15 (2011) |
| Spring Mountain Vineyard | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | The Pearl | 15 (2011) |
| Tayson Pierce Estate Wines | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Cuvée Rothchild | 15 (2011) |
| Meander | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | The Twist | 14 (2010) |
Winery Distribution
Gandona Estate is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.