Henry VI
2013 Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley
Lail Vineyards proudly presents HENRY VI. Several years ago, we began our ‘HENRY’ series of wines that are created exclusively for Premiere Napa Valley. The wine celebrates our eldest grandson, Henry Thomas Dixon, and the varietal or blend may change with each year’s offering. To celebrate Henry, for the past three vintages we have selected the best of the best barrels from our flagship Sauvignon Blanc called ‘Georgia’ (his sister). The tiny 2½ acre estate vineyard in Yountville is called Totem Vineyard, named for a Pacific Northwest totem pole placed there many years ago by Gustave Niebaum. Dry farmed, the vines were planted in 1988 and grafted over years ago to Sauvignon Blanc at the recommendation of our winemaker Philippe Melka. The 2013 vintage Henry VI Sauvignon Blanc is seductive, succulent, mouthwatering, and complex, with a brilliant, unforgettable finish. Your senses will demand another taste.
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
3690 J King Street
Alexandria VA 22302
703-861-9508
Premiere Napa Valley Wine Collection
Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coho | 2013 | Merlot | Coombsville | Michael Black Vineyard-North Ave. | 19 |
Lail Vineyards | 2013 | Sauvignon Blanc | Napa Valley | Henry VI | 19 |
Snowden Vineyards | 2013 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | Melchior Kemper Vineyard | 19 |
ADAMVS | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | Borne | 18 |
Cain Vineyard and Winery | 2011 | Cabernet Franc | Spring Mountain District | François' Pick: Orchard Block | 17 |
Davies Vineyards | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | Rock Garden Block | 17 |
Larkmead Vineyards | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 17 |
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