William Cole Vineyards
2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Smoking Gun"
Napa Valley AVA
Auction 27 | Lot No. 143
Vintage: 2021
William Cole Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
5 cases produced
Highlights
- Fifth-generation winemaker Cole Ballentine’s farming experience is deeply rooted in the Napa Valley
- The wine is approachable but also ageworthy
- We are dedicated to crafting unique small production wines from Napa Valley
- We source the ripest grapes we can to truly express the best of the nested appellations
Description
This 2021 wine entices you with bright and rich, ripe cherries, caramel and a toasty finish. Smoking Gun represents the bygone days of Napa Valley where, with perseverance, dreams can come true.
Cole Ballentine, a fifth-generation Napa Valley native, embraces the future in trailblazing Cabernet Sauvignon that remains true to its roots.
Cole Ballentine
Winemaker, William Cole Vineyards
Cole Ballentine is the real thing!
There is a lot to be said for being a 5th generation farmer in Napa Valley - you pretty much know where all the bodies are buried and where the best grapes can be grown.
From an early age Cole followed his dad, William, around vineyards and wineries. He, like his father, loves the smell of the earth and has a strong respect of history and for past generations in Napa Valley.
After playing both basketball and football at St. Helena High School, Cole went off to Montana State to study business management and to immerse himself in a variety of outdoor sports he enjoys. During summers he would come back to Napa Valley to work with Wilbur Ellis, returning to the vineyards learning about plant management and vine health.
When your name is on the label, the Cole in William Cole, it is pretty hard not to gravitate back to the family business, especially when you share the same passion for quality and salt-of-the-earth winemaking. Cole and William are truly the only hands that touch the winemaking process of both William Cole and now Smoking Gun.
Growing up with the rich stories of the Wild West and the intriguing history of John Weinberger, the founder and winemaker of the first stone winery in Napa Valley, that now houses William Cole Vineyards, led Cole to the creation of Smoking Gun.
Country born: United States
Years in the wine industry: 6 years
Total Wine & More
6600 Rockledge Drive Suite 150
Bethesda MD 20817
301-547-0757
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Total Wine & More:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amici Cellars | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Fire & Ice | 28 (2024) |
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| Bella Union | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 28 (2024) | |
| Belle Glos | 2022 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | Eulenloch | 28 (2024) |
| Bougetz Cellars | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | 28 (2024) | |
| Burgess Cellars, Heitz Cellar, Stony Hill Vineyard | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Founder's Cuvée | 28 (2024) |
| Cakebread Cellars | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Suscol Ranches | 28 (2024) |
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| Far Niente | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 28 (2024) | |
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| Freemark Abbey | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 28 (2024) | |
| Ghost Block Estate Wines | 2022 | Red Table Wine | Yountville | Maratona | 28 (2024) |
| Monticello Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Yewell Vineyard | 28 (2024) |
| Nickel & Nickel | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | John C. Sullenger Vineyard | 28 (2024) |
| Pine Ridge Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Trailblazer | 28 (2024) |
| Red Thread Wines, Summit Lake Vineyards & Winery | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 28 (2024) | |
| Robert Mondavi Winery | 2022 | Red Table Wine | Oakville | To Kalon Vineyard | 28 (2024) |
| Rombauer Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Stice Lane | 28 (2024) |
| Saintsbury | 2023 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Lee Vineyard | 28 (2024) |
| Shafer Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Sunspot Vineyard | 28 (2024) |
| Silver Oak | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Echoes of Exceptionality | 28 (2024) |
| Spring Mountain Vineyard | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | Vista 42 | 28 (2024) |
| TATE | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Jack's Blend | 28 (2024) |
| Women Winemakers | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Women Winemakers | 28 (2024) |
| Acumen | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 5.71 Carats | 27 (2023) |
| Baldacci Family Vineyards | 2021 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Assemblage V | 27 (2023) |
| Beau Vigne | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Titania | 27 (2023) |
| Belle Glos | 2021 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | Eulenloch | 27 (2023) |
| Cain Vineyard & Winery | 2021 | Red Table Wine | Spring Mountain District | The Phoenix Rises | 27 (2023) |
| Davies Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | J. Davies Tres Bloques | 27 (2023) |
| Frank Family Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Winston Hill Block 5 - Heart Block | 27 (2023) |
| Ghost Block Estate Wines | 2021 | Red Wine | Yountville | Maratona | 27 (2023) |
| Groth Vineyards & Winery | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Sweet Spot | 27 (2023) |
| La Jota Vineyard Co. | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 27 (2023) | |
| Miner Family Winery | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Bonny’s Vineyard | 27 (2023) |
| Monticello Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Tietjen Vineyard | 27 (2023) |
| Quilt | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 27 (2023) | |
| Quintessa | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Mt. Calisse | 27 (2023) |
| Robert Mondavi Winery | 2021 | Red Wine | Oakville | To Kalon Vineyard | 27 (2023) |
| Rutherford Ranch Winery | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Abela Vineyard Charlie's Reserve | 27 (2023) |
| Silver Oak | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Heritage Homecoming | 27 (2023) |
| TATE | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Tetz Vineyard | 27 (2023) |
| The Vice | 2020 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | The Cowboy of Wall Street | 27 (2023) |
| William Cole Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Smoking Gun | 27 (2023) |
Winery Distribution
William Cole Vineyards is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Domestic:
- California (self)
- Georgia (Eagle Rock)
- Illinois (Pure Wine)
- Missouri (Grey Eagle)
- North Carolina (Johnson Brothers)
- South Dakota (Okaboji)
International:
- Hong Kong (A-Wines)
- Japan (A-Wines)
- Poland (A-Wines)
- Singapore (A-Wines)