Aileron Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019

Shannon has lived an exciting life, both on land and in the air. Her passion for flying and the freedom it has offered her have inspired her in various ways. So it was no surprise when she adopted an aeronautical term for her brand name: Aileron, which means “little wing” or “fin,” which references the rudder on an airplane’s wing that controls the direction of flight. The word has profound meaning for Shannon and is symbolic of her love for flying and the impact that learning to fly had on the ultimate direction of her life. For Shannon, the confidence she gained while learning to pilot gave her the courage to commit to the wine industry full force. The easy choice would have been to join her family winery, a significant player on Howell Mountain that is world-renowned today. But Shannon is not the kind of woman that gravitates to easy... Instead, Shannon purchased a Cabernet vineyard on Atlas Peak called Altimeter. And with this unique parcel, Shannon and Philippe Melka have delivered another structured and robust Cabernet that will have any collector swooning!

Made by the talented men at Atelier Melka - Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky, this vintage is dark in color with explosive aromatics of mountain herbs, cedar, violets, chocolate, and graphite. The wine is dense, full-bodied, and harmonious on the palate, punctuated by hints of black cherries, plums, and warm spices. Tannins are refined and polished front to back, affording great tension and length. Drink now, and if patience allows, enjoy for the next 15+ years.