2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
Every year, during the height of harvest, we comb through the barrels in our cellar in search of exceptional wines to consider for our Premiere Napa Valley offering. This year, we have elected to create a Bordeaux-style blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon from the highly regarded Morisoli and Tietjen vineyards—both located on the Rutherford bench—with St. Helena hillside fruit rounding out the blend with 14% Cabernet Franc from the Abbey vineyard and 8% Merlot from the Lynch vineyard. This 2008 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful, complex and balanced, and will age gracefully for years in your cellar.
22 months in 50% new French oak cooperage.
bone dry | very sweet | |
light body | very full bodied | |
soft, gentle | very crisp | |
no tannins | heavy tannins | |
Winemaker, Elyse Winery
My nine-year tenure at Whitehall Lane Winery under the tutelage of Art Finkelstein, first as a cellar worker and then as head winemaker, honed my skills in the art of blending and was the inspiration for my winemaking style today.
Since that time and through building Elyse Winery to what it is today, I have been fortunate to work with some of the best growers, staff and other industry professionals
Personal: Cooking, reading, and traveling for pleasure.
Country born: United States
Education: Attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in Hotel Management for one year and then took off for Europe and Africa to follow a childhood dream of traveling around the world.
After graduating from Stockbridge Agricultural College at the University of Massachusetts with a degree in Botany/Pomology, I worked harvest at Mt. Eden Winery in Saratoga in 1983.
After that, I moved to Napa Valley and worked for Tonella Vineyard Management, gaining philosophical perspective and practical knowledge working in the vineyards.
Started at Whitehall Lane Winery in the tasting room while apprenticing for Art Finkelstein in the cellar.
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Winemaking is cooking without a flame. Our winemaking philosophy at Elyse is similar to the approach of a great chef who carefully prepares artisan-grown ingredients to bring each layer of flavor to the table.
Q: Premiere Napa Valley wines are innovative and allow each winery to showcase the region's sense of exploration in fine winemaking. What kind of exploration did your Premiere Napa Valley wine allow you to do?
A: This blend allowed us to contemplate and then integrate the subtle nuances that differentiate hillside and bench land fruit.
Q: What was your inspiration for this offering?
A: We were inspired by the great "older" vintage wines of the Napa Valley. Those wines were always approachable, balanced, and complex.
Q: Fill in the blanks: I chose to make this wine from this particular ______________ because ______________.
A: I chose to make this wine from this particular blend because Although the components were individually stellar, their marriage is exceptional.
Q: Why should a wine lover have a bottle of this wine in their cellar?
A: It showcases the incredible focus that can be achieved when the only goal is optimum quality.
162 South Rancho Santa Fe Road
Suite A-10
Encinitas CA 92024
760-479-2500
Premiere Napa Valley Wine Collection
Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Morlet Family Vineyards | 2017 | Cabernet Franc | Oakville | Le Fabuleux Franc | 23 |
Accendo Cellars | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 22 | |
Rocca Family Vineyards | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | Grigsby Vineyard Old Vines Winemaker’s Barrel | 22 |
Spoto Family Wines | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Cession | 22 |
Accendo Cellars | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 21 | |
Arrow&Branch | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Beckstoffer Dr. Crane & Oakville Ranch | 20 |
Barbour | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Man Cave Blend | 20 |
Chateau Boswell Winery Napa Green Winery | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 20 | |
Coup De Foudre Winery | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Lightning Bolt | 20 |
Freedom Estate Wine | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 20 | |
Hiatus Cellars | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | THE FOUNDATION | 20 |
Kale Wines | 2014 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Broken Axle | 20 |
Krupp Brothers | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | The Doctor & the Bandit | 20 |
S. R. Tonella Cellars | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 20 | |
Tuck Beckstoffer Wines | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 20 | |
Bell Wine Cellars | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Clone 6, Ermitage Troncais | 19 |
Davis Estates | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Phase V | 19 |
Krupp Brothers | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Doctor's Orders | 19 |
Memento Mori | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | RTL | 19 |
Pahlmeyer | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 19 | |
Renteria Wines | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Beller Bench Blend | 19 |
VinRoc Wine Caves | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | Coyote's Howl | 19 |
Arkenstone Vineyards | 2012 | Cabernet Franc | Howell Mountain | Block 7 Upper Vineyard | 18 |
Astrale e Terra | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | Block 6/7 | 18 |
Bell Wine Cellars | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Clone 6, St. Martin Grande Reserve | 18 |
Bennett Lane | 2012 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 18 | |
Croze | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 18 | |
Robert Craig Winery | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | Upper Block | 18 |
Spoto Wines | 2012 | Malbec | Oakville | 18 | |
Sullivan Vineyards | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 18 | |
Terra Valentine | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | The Crown Jewel | 18 |
THE GRADE Cellars | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | THE MONEY BARREL | 18 |
V12 Vineyards | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Twelve | 18 |
ADAMVS | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | Borne | 17 |
Amuse Bouche Winery | 2011 | Merlot | Napa Valley | 17 | |
Arkenstone Vineyards | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | Block 1 Lower | 17 |
Bennett Lane | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 17 | |
Blackbird Vineyards | 2011 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 17 | |
Caspar Estate | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 17 | |
Cliff Lede Vineyards | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Wild Layla | 17 |
Coho | 2011 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Combination of the Two | 17 |
Mario Bazán Cellars | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 17 | |
Porter Family Vineyards | 2011 | Red Wine | Coombsville | Duet | 17 |
Arietta | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Against the Grain | 16 |
Barbour Wines | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Man Cave Blend III | 16 |
Oakville East Exposure | 2010 | Cabernet Franc | Oakville | The Sun and The Moon | 16 |
Oberon Wines | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Three Elevations | 16 |
Spring Mountain Vineyard | 2009 | Red Wine | Spring Mountain District | Elivette's Sister | 16 |
TOR Kenward Family Wines | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 2010 TOR Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon | 16 |
Twomey Cellars | 2010 | Merlot | Napa Valley | SoCaRaNa | 16 |
Buoncristiani Family Winery | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | JAMN Black & Blue Blend | 15 |
Continuum Estate | 2009 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 15 | |
Gargiulo Vineyards | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | OVX vineyard | 15 |
HALL | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Sacrashe Vineyard | 15 |
Kenefick Ranch Winery | 2008 | Red Wine | Calistoga | Pickett Road Red | 15 |
Longfellow Wine Company | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Vineyard Select | 15 |
Nickel & Nickel | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Hayne Vineyard | 15 |
Terra Valentine | 2009 | Cabernet Franc | Spring Mountain District | 15 | |
Ahnfeldt Wines | 2008 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Quid Pro Quo IV | 14 |
Bennett Lane | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | Calistoga Appellation Lot | 14 |
Elyse Winery | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 14 | |
Frank Family Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Winston Hill Block 5 (Heart Block) | 14 |
Hestan Vineyards | 2007 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Stephanie Selection | 14 |
Husic Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | 14 | |
Mi Sueño Winery | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Selección Herrera | 14 |
Ahnfeldt Wines | 2007 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Quid Pro Quo III | 13 |
Baldacci Family Vineyards | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | First Born | 13 |
Etude | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Vine Hill Ranch | 13 |
Page Wine Cellars | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Your Personal Stash | 13 |
Palmaz Vineyards | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | The Ultimate High | 13 |
Provenance Vineyards | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Three Palms Vineyard | 13 |
Versant Vineyards | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 13 | |
Viader Vineyards and Winery | 2007 | Petit Verdot | Napa Valley | 13 | |
ZD Wines | Non-vintage | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Petit Abacus | 13 |
Krupp Brothers | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 12 | |
Mi Sueño Winery | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Carpignano Vineyard | 11 |
Fantesca Estate and Winery | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | 10 | |
Reynolds Family Winery | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | 10 | |
Rocca Family Vineyards | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon 50% Syrah 50% | Yountville | Temptress | 10 |
ZD Wines | 2005 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Haire Vineyard 667 | 10 |
Bennett Lane | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | 9 | |
Chappellet Winery and Vineyard | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 9 | |
Miner Family Winery | 2003 | 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 9 | |
Provenance Vineyards | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon 75%/ Petit Verdot 25% | Oakville | 9 | |
Thirteen Appellations | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot | Napa Valley | 9 | |
Duckhorn Vineyards | 2002 | Merlot | Napa Valley | 25th Harvest Cuvee | 8 |
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