1999 Vinalia (Nebbiolo)

1999 Amethyst Vinalia
Twenty five barrels produced

In general 1999 is considered a fine vintage for the late varietals. Cabernet did well in Napa and that usually means that our late ripening Nebbiolo will succeed as well. You can be assured that we only bottle the vintages that are capable of excellence. This wine is the Napa equivalent of Barolo.The vineyard of less than two acres is planted around partner Mike Richmond's house in the Carneros region of Napa. It is 80% Nebbiolo and 20% Sangiovese. We used multiple clones of each for complexity. It was planted in 1990. The cool foggy conditions that prevail through most of the growing season suit the Nebbiolo well. The root word for Nebbiolo in Italian means foggy. It is one of the rarest varietals grown in Napa.
We have deliberately steered clear of a Californian style with this wine. Our flavor benchmark is the traditional Italian hillside wine. When we place this wine in blind pairings with Barolo it blends right into the environment. The wine is aged for two full years in neutral oak barrels. There is an almost white wine like aroma that we prize highly and do not wish to hide. Nebbiolo ages very slowly. We give the wine an additional couple years of bottle aging before release.
We often say, only half joking, that this is not a wine for amateurs. By this we mean that it is deeply dry and rewards, indeed demands, rich food in order to shine. In Piedmont the home of Nebbiolo it is most often paired with grilled beef. It works just as well with pizza or pasta. If you are part of that small minority that cellars your wine, this wine will reward aging.