Sire Limitless Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2022

In 2022, ACME was elated to discover the hidden gem Sire Estate, which has been quietly making 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from some of Napa's premier vineyard sites since 2012. This small brand has largely flown under the radar since its inaugural release. It is a sleeping giant with heavy hitter Julien Fayard behind the wheel, producing less than 200 cases of pure, unadulterated Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with each vintage.

Growing up in Northern California and attending De La Salle High School, run by the Christian Brothers (yes, those Christian Brothers), Tom Buck developed an appreciation for Napa Valley, winemaking, and the history of the industry in our small valley. Between yearly summer retreats hosted by the Christian Brothers on Mt. Veeder and his part-time work as a tour guide and driver in wine country, Tom cemented his passion for educating others on wine and sharing Napa's rich winemaking history. Then, while studying to earn his post-graduate teaching certification, Tom worked his first grape harvest and was smitten. The magic of harvest stuck with Tom, and he soon realized he didn't want to teach just anything; his field of study would be wine. This calling led him to an eventual purchase of Beau Wine Tours, where he remains President and CEO today, and he continues to share the world of wine with wine-country visitors year-round.

As Tom laid the groundwork for starting a personal label, he vetted multiple candidates and determined Julien Fayard best adhered to the philosophies he desired in his winemaking partner. These shared values honed in on perfecting Cabernet Sauvignon from excellent vineyard sources, making wine only when grapes from the "finest pedigree" vines were available. Julien can undoubtedly be considered a Cabernet winemaking "thoroughbred," with harvests and experience in Bordeaux at Château Lafite-Rothschild and Napa Valley, serving as Philippe Melka's right-hand man. As the Winemaker and Proprietor of Fayard Winemaking, he consults for brands such as Covert, Somnium, and Purlieu while crafting his label, Julien Fayard Wines. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from single-vineyard sources is right up his alley as he feels, in his own words, "As a winemaker, my job is to bring out the best qualities that the vines have provided. I don't seek to make a style of wine but more so to make wine that sings of its place, its history, and its uniqueness."

The newest vineyard in Sire's 100% Cabernet line-up is Limitless Vineyard on Howell Mountain. Owned by Janice and Marc Mondavi and farmed by vineyard manager Jim Barbour, Limitless lies along Las Posadas Road on the southeasterly side of the sub-AVA. Julien crafted just 100 cases of this wine, which is derived solely from Clone 341 and is known for its concentration and structured tannins. Pairing these traits with the cool climate and volcanic soils of Howell Mountain produces fruit with intensity and power, which Julien translates to a Cabernet built to last with dark fruits and longevity in mind, having aged for 22 months in new French oak. "Well paced red currant and pomegranate course the palate in concert with bay leaf and crushed blackberry. A strident texture envelopes a finish of rose hip and cocoa nib. The rugged texture harkens to more heraldic days of Napa mountain fruit wines. A lighter boned but deep chested wine, with a loping stride able to cover longer distances, the 2022 Howell Mountain promises enjoyment that will deepen with maturity." ~Winery Tasting Notes