Cervantes Palomino Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2022

Some wine-loving people move to Napa Valley, intending to produce boutique, top-quality, awe-inspiring wines. Some of them succeed, but it is infinitely difficult to create a wine that is the top echelon, beloved brand of one's dreams.  We are fortunate to have front-row seats to the action, and our palates are dedicated to sharing the news of only the successful ones with you!  So when the word begins to spread amongst collectors and aficionados of this drop-dead gorgeous project, which includes the affable family themselves, their stunning property, and their hardworking and rewarding life, we'll have to tell ourselves not to be territorial when we cannot get a reservation for a private tasting. Fortunately, we'll always have a hearty, coveted allocation, and we would be happy to host you here to celebrate our find!

Pope Valley is considered by many to be Napa Valley’s final frontier and is a place that still incites excitement and offers unbounded opportunities. This bucolic corner of our beautiful valley lies just twenty minutes from Main Street in St. Helena, yet it seems worlds apart. This rural refuge of Napa County has been graced with vineyards since the 19th Century but, by dint of geography, is often overlooked by the casual visitor to the valley. Tucked away behind the imposing hulk of Howell Mountain, Pope Valley appears much as Napa did fifty years ago: undulating hills crisscrossed with country lanes peppered with neatly planted rows of vines. And as the more well-known sub-regions of Napa Valley reach their maximum planting capacity, more and more vintners are turning to this hidden treasure to stake their claim on some of the valley’s last premier acres.

The gregarious Xavier Cervantes is one such enterprising individual. For seven years, he sought an ideal spot to plant vineyards and build a winery in world-famous locales such as Rutherford, Pritchard Hill, and Oakville. Xavier had been in escrow several times, only to be disappointed to see his plans slip through his fingers at the last minute. But that would certainly not deter this talented real estate entrepreneur originally from Mexico City. Then, in the 11th hour, he discovered a pristine parcel of land in Pope Valley. What Xavier found here in Pope Valley was a blank slate with unlimited potential: rocky, complex soils, an abundance of sunshine, and the ability to leave his mark on the region for generations to come.

The Cervantes Estate represents the highest-profile venture yet in Pope Valley and is 1,100 acres of absolutely stunning beauty. Xavier transformed this Eden by planting Bordeaux varietals and fruit orchards and constructing an equestrian facility and trout ponds. When acclaimed winemaker Andy Erickson (Favia, Dalla Valle, Mayacamas, Arietta, and formerly of Screaming Eagle and Staglin) visited and walked the rows with Xavier to discuss his vision, he was smitten with the place and happily agreed to yet another project with limitless possibility. 

Andy has a special place in his heart for this family and the unique piece of land in Pope Valley that they steward. And wow, did he deliver with this debut!  The ranch has twenty-five-year-old vines planted to Clone One, which is the most classic expression of this varietal in Napa Valley. Planted on a gentle, gravelly slope, the vines deliver a style of wine that has a full range of aromas and flavors. Grapes were whole-cluster pressed, fermented in barrel, and aged on the lees for seven months, giving the wine breadth, texture, and purity. By restricting malolactic fermentation, Andy was able to capture the freshness and focus of the vineyard. And, by limiting the new French oak to only 25%, he allowed the fruit to come forward while still framing the wine with a solid structure and adding length to the finish. The 2022 displays notes of lemon peel, grapefruit, thyme, and subtle baking spices. It is an easy wine to fall in love with - delicious right out of the fridge with bright acidity that cuts through the palate, but also an expansive body that is textured and contemplative with a little time in your glass. This is not a white wine for your next pool party; quite the opposite, in fact. This wine demands attention and a meal to support its weighty body and layered palate. Pair this with seafood pasta, and you won't be going back to work after lunch.