Depiction Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019

The base of the Mayacamas mountain range, on the west side of St. Helena, is home to many acclaimed vineyards revered globally by wine lovers. The prized list of lauded land includes Spottswoode, Abreu, Beckstoffer, The Crane Assembly, Barbour, Anomaly, and Gallica.  Beginning in 2012, this great viticultural neighborhood welcomed another petite brand, its precious fruit hailing from a tiny, newly planted vineyard.  With this legendary terroir, it should be no surprise that one of ACME’s favorite micro-projects has jumped to the front of the line with its sought-after status. I am talking about the very rare bottling of DEPICTION.  Today marks the release of their 2018 vintage, and as a comparison, if you love Cabernet from Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, I think you’ll see a resemblance here with the velvety, lush style.  (Honestly, it would be hard to miss.)

DEPICTION is a brilliant creation from our friends and neighbors here in Saint Helena: Sebastian and Estelle Lane.  Sebastian is a barrel cooper and a real estate agent in Napa Valley who has deep roots and profound connections in the wine industry going back several decades.  In 2009, he helped a couple find their "dream home” on the west side of St. Helena down a quaint, wine country road.  Just a stone's throw from other small parcels of prime vineyard land previously mentioned, Seb saw the incredible potential this perfect plot of land held and his imagination started to wander.  Seb convinced the owners to allow him to plant a small portion of the pristine property to vines (predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon) and with the invaluable advice from his close, personal (unnamed, famous) vineyard and winemaking connections, he combined his and Estelle's love for winemaking and art into one of the most visionary, creative, thought-provoking wine projects ever conceived.  

In addition to the works of art that Seb and Estelle have created with their Depiction Magnum Sets, standard 750mL bottles are offered clothed in a "blank canvas" label, i.e., the art is on the interior of the bottle only, allowing you the opportunity to enjoy and audition the wine that will be released in magnum format in next year's release.  And in the location an artist would traditional sign, the "blank canvas" label instead carries the vintage date and Mother Nature's signature.  

The 2019 Depiction possesses more copious freshness than any recent vintage, owing to the cooler nights of the growing season. This is an exuberant wine that has a long life ahead of it. Delicious with a  decant now, it will reward those who are patient in the coming years. Lifted plummy aromatics give way to mixed berry compote, kirsch, and shortbread notes on the palate.  Tell-tale talc tannins and black cherry overtones confirm the pedigree and typicity of the vintage in the lineage of Depiction releases.