Covert Estate
2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Black Label"
Coombsville AVA
Auction 29 | Lot No. 164
Vintage: 2023
Covert Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon
Coombsville
5 cases produced
Highlights
- 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Black Label Cabernet has dark, structured aromatics as its cornerstone
- Fresh, lithe and energetic, the 2023 vintage celebrates the intensity of Coombsville, Napa Valley
- Vibrant fruit with sensational texture and density that will only deepen with time
Description
Our Black Label Cabernet has dark, structured aromatics as its cornerstone, blended into the rich and refined style that is Covert’s hallmark. Fresh, lithe and energetic, the 2023 vintage of the Covert Black Label Cabernet celebrates the intensity of Coombsville, Napa Valley. Once this initial fermentation is complete, we gently crush the grapes with a vertical press directly into barrels for a secondary malolactic fermentation. The wine then spends 18 to 26 months in barrel, as needed for each vintage. We rack at most twice per year, and bottle without fining or filtration. By minimizing human intervention with the wine, we aim to amplify the voice of the terroir.
Wine Facts
- Sustainably produced
Julien Fayard
Winemaker, Covert Estate
With more than two decades of winemaking expertise, Julien Fayard is one of Napa Valley’s most respected winemakers producing California varietals with French finesse. He believes in producing wines with an identity, exploiting what makes each one unique. Julien’s wines are a pure expression of their terroir, highlighting the specificities and characteristics of the fruit, vineyard management, soil and climate. He has a track record of building brands both in terms of quality and market presence.
Originally from France, Julien began his career as a winemaker producing quality rosé at his family’s winery in Provence. In Bordeaux he worked at Lafite Rothschild and Smith Haut Laffite before relocating to Napa Valley. In Napa, he was Philippe Melka’s director of winemaking for a few years before launching his own projects.
Julien earned his Master in Agri-Business ESA France and Master in Winemaking from Toulouse France and in 2011 he received his MBA from UC Davis.
Country born: France
Education: MBA UC Davis
Master of Winemaking (Toulouse)
Master in Agribusiness (ESA Angers)
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Honors / Awards:
Appearances in SOMM TV's "Verticals: Lafite Rothschild," Season Two, (2021) and the feature length documentary "Decanted" (2016)
"Winemaker of the Year," 2021, Wine Spectrum
"Winemaker of the Year," 2019, LuxeSF
Winemaking Philosophy:
Non-interventionist winemaking. The vineyard drives the difference. What made me decide to build my own winery is traditional winemaking aimed at minimizing the cellar practices. Wine is a natural product of grapes. I am very technical on everything that supports winemaking, yet very traditional on what is in direct contact with the wine.
Winery Distribution
Covert 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.
Domestic:
- California (Breakthru Beverage)
- California (Breakthru Beverage)
- Florida (Dibacco Imports)
- Georgia (Insite )
- Illinois (Elevage)
- Michigan (The Wine Poor)
- Minnesota (Small Lot Wines)
- Missouri (Grey Eagle )
- North Carolina (Epiphany / Johnson Brothers)
- Ohio (Tramonte & Sons)
- Tennessee (Franklin Selections)