White Lane Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon St Helena 2018

While wineries with estate vineyards pepper the Napa Valley and garner much acclaim and attention, small, family-owned vineyards and heritage grape growers far outnumber the larger wineries.  In many cases, these plots have been passed down from generation to generation of farmers.  These vineyards often begin with an intention to grow enough fruit to make a "house wine" for family and friends and sell the rest of their crop to foot the bill.  Yet, younger generations see the quality in Napa's terroir and the opportunity to stake a claim for their family name in our larger wine world.  It is easy to forget that our valley's primary industry is truly agricultural.  Still, the individual, tiny properties and single-digit acre vineyards give our valley character and distinction. 

Situated in the heart of St Helena, the Lies family's vineyard is right in the action of all things regarding Napa Valley wines and the source for White Lane's debut wine.  Since 1998, they have produced 100% Cabernet Sauvignon to share with their relatives made by family friend Carl Sciambria until 2018.  The patriarch, Jim Lies, worked as a cardiologist after growing up in Kansas on a farm and eventually moving to Napa Valley.  Soon after landing in Napa, he met Robert Mondavi, who was known to espouse the benefits of red wine drinking for heart health. This shared belief, and love of drinking wine, made for a long-lasting friendship between the two and encouragement to plant vines on Jim's St Helena property.

White Lane selected Sara Fowler and the team at Peju Winery to take the helm of winemaking after Carl's passing.  2018 marked the induction of the new guard of winemaking and the family's decision to retain more of their fruit and release their family label to a broader audience.  Sara's background in farming, having grown up on a ranch and transitioned her family's property to organic vineyards, along with overseeing the vineyard management of Peju's 200 acres of vines, acutely attunes her to the highs and lows of grape farming.  This experience enlightens her winemaking and assists her in coaxing the utmost potential from the vineyard.

Fine wines take patience to craft, which starts in the beginning at the vineyard.  The Lies family takes pride in caring for their vines by hand, from pruning to thinning to picking.  While the property is not certified, they employ organic and sustainable practices where at all possible to preserve their soils and ecosystem.  St Helena's Cabernet grapes elicit full-bodied, rich wines due to the extended sun exposure and higher temperatures in the middle of the valley floor.  Yet, the vast diurnal shift in temperature from day to night allows the berries to reach prime ripeness without over-extending.

Aged in 50% new French oak barrels for 30 months, the White Lane Reserve is a testament to Cabernet Sauvignon.  Tannins are firm and structured with forward acidity to create a seamless experience on the palate.  The aromas evoke the layered richness of the wine with dark chocolate truffles, cherry pie, and pencil shavings.  The spice of the oak is prevalent on the palate, with notes of cedar, allspice, and vanilla bean.  One is hard-pressed to find single-vineyard, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from a premier Napa Valley AVA for under $100, and we're pleased to have discovered the 2018 White Lane Reserve for our treasured clients.