William Cole Vineyards
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Smoking Gun"
Napa Valley AVA
Auction 24 | Lot No. 47
Vintage: 2018
William Cole Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
5 cases produced
Highlights
- Classically balanced wine expressing elegance from the stunning 2018 vintage
- Your wine is a lush fruit-forward Cabernet Sauvignon
- A blend of grapes grown at 1,600 feet in the northern St. Helena and Howell Mountain nested appellations
- Aging 24 months in 100% French oak barrels
Description
Grown in the St. Helena and Howell Mountain nested appellations in the Napa Valley, the grapes come from sites that have produced rich and luscious Cabernet Sauvignon for generations. The 2018 lures you in with bright and rich, ripe raspberries, cherries and milk chocolate and ribbons of caramel. Subtle white pepper and toasty finish round out the wine into a long finish.
Smoking Gun represents the bygone days of Napa Valley where, with perseverance, dreams can come true. Cole Ballentine, fifth-generation Napa Valley native, embodies 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
Millbrook Inn by T & T
208 Ave E
Matamoras PA 18336
United States
954-914-3218
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Millbrook Inn by T & T:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell Wine Cellars | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Inky George and the Longtable | 29 (2025) |
| Lewis Cellars | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 29 (2025) | |
| Revelette Wines | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 29 (2025) | |
| The Vineyardist | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | The Vineyardist | 29 (2025) |
| Women Winemakers | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 29 (2025) | |
| Lewis Cellars | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 28 (2024) | |
| Patent Wines | 2023 | Sauvignon Blanc | Yountville | Le Sauvage Élégant | 28 (2024) |
| Hertelendy Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | La Belle Étoile | 27 (2023) |
| Long Meadow Ranch Winery | 2021 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | E.J. Church | 27 (2023) |
| Burgess Cellars | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Estate Vineyards Reserve | 26 (2022) |
| Maxville Winery | 2021 | Sauvignon Blanc | Chiles Valley District | ORANOS | 26 (2022) |
| McKenzie-Mueller Vineyards & Winery | 2001 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 26 (2022) | |
| Rutherford Ranch Winery | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Abela Vineyard Charlie's Reserve | 26 (2022) |
| Acumen | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | 5.71 Carats | 24 (2020) |
| Artesa Vineyards & Winery | 2018 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Tempranillo 55% Cabernet Sauvignon 45% | 24 (2020) |
| Chimney Rock Winery | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Omega Point Single Barrel Selection | 24 (2020) |
| Pellet Estate | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Trouvaille | 24 (2020) |
| William Cole Vineyards | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Smoking Gun | 24 (2020) |
| Grgich Hills Estate | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | 1959 Vineyard Old Vine Cabernet | 23 (2019) |
| Laird Family Estate | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | Pyramid Selection | 23 (2019) |
| Barlow Vineyards | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Vineyard 4415 | 22 (2018) |
| Burgess Cellars | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Brush Breaker | 22 (2018) |
| Gamble Family Vineyards | 2016 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Paramount Proprietary Red Blend - Barrel Select | 22 (2018) |
| J. Moss Winery | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 22 (2018) | |
| Sterling Vineyards | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 22 (2018) |
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)
- Missouri (Grey Eagle)
- North Carolina (Johnson Brothers)
International:
- Hong Kong (A-Wines)
- Japan (A-Wines)
- Poland (A-Wines)
- Singapore (A-Wines)