Essence of Gemstone
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Yountville
This classic Gemstone "Bordeaux-like blend" consists of many pieces from this famed estate. But beneath this blend lies a core of intensely rich Cabernet Sauvignon fruit from Gemstone's remarkable Block 6. Gemstone has been described as "powered allied with elegance". Responsible for much of this "power" are these tiny thick-skinned berries with an almost cassis liqueur-like quality. This historic lot is the only pure Gemstone Cabernet Sauvignon ever offered; it is the "Essence of Gemstone." Philippe Melka, Winemaker
18 month, new French Oak 70%
bone dry | very sweet | |
light body | very full bodied | |
soft, gentle | very crisp | |
no tannins | heavy tannins | |
Winemaker, Gemstone
Philippe spent much of his early life in Bordeaux, receiving his geology degree in 1989 from the University of Bordeaux. In his final year of study, he took a wine course purely out of sheer curiosity, and from that moment on realized his passion and future lay in the world of wine.
In 1991 he completed a masters program in Agronomy and Enology under the direction of Professor Sequin, a reputed specialist with regard to terroir. Philippe was fascinated by the relationship between soil and wine quality and his appreciation of the study of soil agronomy continues to this day in his work as a viticulturist as well as winemaker.
Philippe set out for the New World to discover its wines and expand his knowledge in the process. In 1991-1992, he worked for Dominus in both winemaking and vineyard management. He split 1992 between working harvest at Chittering Estate in western Australia, and returning to Dominus to study grape maturation and ideal picking times.
In 1993, Philippe studied soils at Badia a Coltibuono in Italy as well as the emerging Sangiovese varietal. In the spring of that year, he was once again on French soil, joining the J. P. Moueix company in Libourne, where he stayed until returning to Napa Valley in 1994 to devote himself to winemaking and continuing soil studies.
Country born: France
Education: Geology degree - University of Bordeaux
Master's Degreee Agronomy and Enology - University of Bordeaux
Professor Sequin at University of Bordeaux - a reputed specialist with regard to terroir.
Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
To create wines tht expresses the voice of its native soil.
Winemaker, Lail Vineyards
Born and raised in Bordeaux, France, I attended the University of Bordeaux graudating with a degree in geology, then a Master's degree in enology and agronomy. My first winery was Chateau Haut Brion, followed by work and study in Australia, Italy, back in France (Petrus) and finally in Napa Valley (Dominus). I began consulting in 1995, and Lail Vineyards was one of my first projects.
Country born: France
Education: I attended the University of Bordeaux graudating with a degree in geology, then a Master's degree in enology and agronomy.
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Honors / Awards:
Named by Robert Parker as one of the top nine wine consultants in the world.
Winemaking Philosophy:
Wines are made in the vineyard, with minimal intervention in the cellar.
Winemaker, Vineyard 29
Philippe spent much of his early life in Bordeaux, receiving his geology degree in 1989 from the University of Bordeaux. In his final year of study, he took a wine course purely out of sheer curiosity, and from that moment on realized his passion--and future--lay in the world of wine.
In 1991 he completed a masters program in Agronomy and Enology under the direction of Professor Sequin, a reputed specialist with regard to terroir. Philippe was fascinated by the relationship between soil and wine quality and his appreciation of the study of soil agronomy continues to this day in his work as a viticulturist as well as winemaker.
Philippe set out for the New World to discover its wines and expand his knowledge in the process. In 1991-1992, he worked for Dominus in both winemaking and vineyard management. He split 1992 between working harvest at Chittering Estate in Western Australia, and returning to Dominus to study grape maturation and ideal picking times.
In 1993, Philippe studied soils at Badia a Coltibuono in Italy as well as the emerging Sangiovese varietal. In the spring of that year, he was once again on French soil, joining the J. P. Moueix company in Libourne, where he stayed until returning to Napa Valley in 1994 to devote himself to winemaking and continuing soil studies.
In 1999, Philippe began making Vineyard 29 wines. After the McMinns purchased the property, Philippe proved instrumental in thinking through the winery design—with the aim of arriving at a design that would help him to produce the best wine possible. In conjunction with the design and winemaking process, he aided with vineyard selection as Chuck sought another property to add to the Vineyard 29 portfolio. Now, years later, we often hear Philippe referred to as one of the most important winemakers in Napa Valley today.
Country born: France
Education: University of Bordeaux - geology, viticulture, enology
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
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: Premier Napa Valley allowed us to see the potential from the first 100% Cabernet Sauvignon ever produced from our Estate.
Q: What was your inspiration for this offering?
A: The challenge of making an excpetion 100% Cabernet Sauvingnon from the Gemstone Vineyard.
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 Vineyard Block because We chose to create this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Block 6, which has been the backbone of Gemstone year after year due to the power and intensity it contributes to the Gemstone blend. Block 6 yields intensely rich Cabernet Sauvignon fruit with tiny thick-skinned berries that have an almost cassis liqueur-like quality.
Q: Why should a wine lover have a bottle of this wine in their cellar?
A: This wine is the only pure Gemstone Cabernet Sauvignon ever produced.
6525 Washington Street
Yountville CA 94599-1300
707-531-7053
Premiere Napa Valley Wine Collection
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Keever Vineyards | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | 15 | |
Paradigm Winery | 2009 | Cabernet Franc | Oakville | 15 | |
Gemstone Vineyard | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | Essence of Gemstone | 14 |
Robert Foley Vineyards and Switchback Ridge | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 14 |
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