Single-Vineyard Wines
♦ Butala ♦ Morisoli ♦ Don Thomas ♦ Melanson ♦ Rapp ♦ Villa Amorosa ♦ Manley ♦ Voyager ♦ Cresta ♦ Morning Dew Ranch ♦ Terra de Promissio ♦ Boonville ♦ Bien Nacido ♦
Butala Estate Vineyard, Coombsville AVA, Napa Valley
Among our most popular single-vineyard wines. This 12-acre Castello Estate vineyard is located in the newest Napa Valley sub-AVA of Coombsville, just east of the town in Napa. It has very rocky, red volcanic soils and steep hillside slopes. It was planted in 1989 to several rootstocks and clonal selections of Cabernet Sauvignon, with one small block of Merlot. These 25-year-old vines produce a small crop of highly concentrated fruit. You can only buy Butala through our allocation club.
Explore Our Butala Estate Vineyard with Winemaker Brooks Painter
♦ 96 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Leading off with the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Butala Vineyard, which is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 7% Malbec, and 4% Petit Verdot, it reveals a saturated purple color as well as a beautiful bouquet of sweet crème de cassis, blueberries, exotic flowers, orange blossom, and subtle background oak. This medium to full-bodied, elegant, beautifully polished effort is perfectly balanced, has no hard edges, and offers a great finish. It falls into the pretty, elegant end of the spectrum, yet it still has fabulous intensity and length. Drink 2019 – 2039.”
♦ 95+ Points – Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate
“Made of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Butala Vineyard is deep purple-black in color and slides seductively out of the glass with delicately perfumed scents of roses, lilacs, and kirsch over a core of wild blueberries, mulberries, cassis and warm plums plus suggestions of underbrush and cedar chest. The elegantly played, medium to full-bodied palate provides exhilarating tension and is jam-packed with tightly wound, mineral laced layers, finishing very long.”
♦ 93 Points – James Suckling
“Very well done for the vintage with a density of fruit and freshness. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Better in 2019.”
♦ 91 Points – Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate
“Coming from Coombsville, the blend for the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Butala Vineyard is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. The wine is muted on the nose at this stage, with blackberry preserves, stewed plums, cassis, herbs and earth notions. Full-bodied and concentrated, the mouth is packed with berry preserves flavors, with chewy, firm tannins and a long, earthy finish.”
♦ 95 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Butala Vineyard comes from the Coombsville region of the valley, just outside the town of Napa. It offers a similar level of minerality to the Morisoli-Borges cuvee as well as a plump, sexy style on the palate. Loaded with notions of black and blue fruits, white flowers, violets and graphite, it’s slightly more forward and opulent than the other two cuvees, yet has plenty of underlying tannin and depth. It’s going to drink nicely for 15-20 years. (Expected Maturity: 2018 – 2038).”
♦ 93 Points – Robert Parker
“The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Butala Vineyard, which is one of their estate sources, is from a 12-acre parcel in Coombsville with rocky, red volcanic soils. This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon with a dense ruby/purple color, rich, concentrated, earthy black and red fruits, graphite and mineral notes, a full-bodied mouthfeel and loads of concentration, but still suave, civilized and silky tannins. The wine is big, exuberant and rich, but also approachable. Drink it over the next 15-20 years.”
♦ 93 Points – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Butala Vineyard has a slightly more saturated ruby/purple color and comes from rocky soils in the Coombsville AVA. This vineyard is 25 years old. The wine shows notes of blackberry, forest floor and crushed rocks, giving it a distinct minerality. It is deep, concentrated, layered and very impressive, the wine shows soft tannin and has a certain accessibility, but promises to evolve beautifully for another two decades.
Morisoli-Borges Vineyard, Rutherford AVA, Napa Valley
This elegant single-vineyard Cabernet comes from the legendary Rutherford AVA in The Napa Valley. The silky Cabernet shows hints of blueberries, blackberry jam, cassis, and graphite. Mike Morisoli farms this vineyard, located on the west side of Highway 29 and within the heart of the famed “Rutherford Bench.” The Morisoli Family started growing grapes in western Rutherford around 1900, and this particular vineyard was purchased by Mike’s parents in 1971. Now sustainably farmed by the 4th generation, much of the vineyard was planted to Cabernet Sauvignon in the late 1980s with a smaller area redeveloped in 2006. This wine comes from a blend of these “old” and “young” blocks, and it expresses the Rutherford appellation’s famous “dust” character, with its unique soft, silky tannins.
♦ 95+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli-Borges from the Rutherford region of the valley is a beautiful 2018 that does everything right. Lots of spiced currants, mulled plums, cedarwood, loamy earth, and dried tobacco give way to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, spicy, complex wine that needs 3-4 years of bottle age.”
♦ 95 Points – Antonio Galloni
“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli-Borges Vineyard offers a striking expression of Rutherford. Beautifully layered and ample, the Morisoli-Borges is a stunner right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, licorice, cloves, espresso and lavender all build in a resonant, super-expressive Cabernet that delivers the goods, and then some.”
♦ 93 Points – James Suckling
“Black and blue berries, mushrooms, earthy notes and chocolate as well. It is full-bodied with firm tannins and an ample, flavorful and long finish. I liked the slightly herbal undertone at the end. Try after 2023.”
♦ 97 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Sourced all from the famed “Rutherford-Bench” section of the valley and all Cabernet, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli-Borges Vineyard sports a saturated purple hue as well as loads of spice, crushed violets, leafy herbs, chocolate, and cedar all supported by beautiful blueberry and wild strawberry fruits. Plush and sexy on the palate, with full-bodied richness and more opulence and decadence than most in the vintage, it hits all the right spots and is a beautifully balanced, sexy 2017 to enjoy over the coming 20-25 years or more.”
♦ 93 Points – James Suckling
“Attractive aromas of fresh fruit with a ripe array of redcurrants and raspberries, as well as blackcurrant and violet notes. The palate has a sleek, juicy and fleshy feel with plenty of ripe, rich fruit and a smooth-honed, long and plush texture. Drink or hold.”
♦ 96 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli-Borges Vineyard is cut from the same cloth with its flowery blue and black fruits, complex tobacco, cedary spice, and herbal notes, medium to full body, and sweet, yet certainly present tannins. It shines for its sheer purity of fruit and balance and is another pure class release from this team. It will keep for 3 decades. Drink 2019 – 2049.”
♦ 94+ Points – Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate
“Made of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep purple-black colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli-Borges gives up scents of warm blackberries, crushed red and black cherries and black currants with hints of cigar box, tilled soil and mossy bark. Full-bodied with a solid, muscular mid-palate of pure black and red fruits, it has a firm line of grainy tannins and an invigorating lift on the long finish. Drink 2019 – 2035.”
♦ 93 Points – James Suckling
“A rich and layered red with currant and blackberry character. Full body, round and caressing tannins and a flavorful finish. Pure Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink or hold.”
♦ 93 Points – Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate
“The deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli Borges is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and offers spicy aromas of cedar chest, blackberries and blueberry compote with notes of licorice and fragrant earth. Full-bodied and concentrated in the rich, spicy mouth, it has firm, chewy tannins and finishes long and a bit oaky.”
♦ 92 Points – James Suckling
“Intense aromas of blackberries, tar, blueberries and mint, following through to a full body. Round and silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Fruit-forward but still fresh. Drink or hold.”
♦ 98 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli-Borges Vineyard comes from a site located in Rutherford, on the valley floor. It too is inky colored and offers a sensational bouquet of crème de cassis, blueberries, graphite/lead pencil shavings, tons of crushed rocks and hints of violets. Layered, gorgeously pure, concentrated and always elegant and silky, with no sense of heaviness, enjoy this blockbuster anytime over the coming 3-4 decades. (Expected Maturity: 2018–2058)”
♦ 96 Points – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
“Coming from the valley floor, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli-Borges Vineyard hails from the tenderloin of the so-called bench area. It shows gorgeous fruit, loads of blueberry, blackberry and cassis notes, licorice and incense followed by an opulent, voluptuously textured, super-sexy style with oodles of glycerin, fruit and extract. This is a stunner and irresistible already. Moreover, it should age nicely for another 15 or more years.
♦ 91 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
“The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli-Borges Vineyard is one of the more powerful wines in the range. It also comes across as a bit compact at this stage and in need of further cellaring, although it is likely to always remain a bit on the linear side of things.”
♦ 94 Points – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli-Borges Vineyard, which comes from the Rutherford sector of Napa, shows beautiful blueberry and blackberry fruit, camphor and incense, a full-bodied, nicely textured mouthfeel, sweet velvety tannins and a long finish. This is a beauty, and a wine that can be drunk now or cellared for another 20 years.”
♦ 92 Points – Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast Magazine
“Compost aromas open this vineyard-designated wine, a full-bodied, densely concentrated exploration of juicy black licorice, coconut, and dust. Soft and lengthy, it develops slowly in the glass, providing a vibrant showcase for the site.”
♦ 91 Points – James Suckling
“Lots of ripe and unctuous fruit showing a light raisin and spice character. Full body, soft tannins and a juicy finish. This is ripe and smooth. Drink or hold.”
♦ 93 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
“A big, explosive wine, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli Borges hits the palate with a rush of dark red and blue fruits, smoke, incense, violets, lavender, orange peel and spices. The firm tannins are going to need time to settle down, so readers should not be in a rush. This is without question the most complex and pedigreed of Castello di Amorosa’s Cabernet Sauvignons. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027.”
♦ 93-95 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media (Barrel Sample)
“The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli-Borges Vineyard is flat-out stunning. Rich, opulent and full-bodied, yet backed up by an imposing sense of structure, the 2012 possesses gorgeous depth and pure power. Mocha, plums, licorice, tobacco, graphite and ash all jump from the glass in an opulent, broad-shouldered wine loaded with class and pedigree. This hugely promising Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the best wines I have tasted from Castello di Amorosa.”
♦ 90-92 Points – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (Barrel Sample)
“A barrel sample of the dense ruby/purple-tinged, full-bodied 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli Borges revealed lots of character as well as copious notes of blueberries, blackcurrants, black cherries, licorice, underbrush and spice. It should turn out to be an outstanding effort to enjoy during its first 10-15 years of life.”
♦ 92 Points – James Suckling
“A soft and silky red with plum, currants, and spice. Fully body and firm tannins that buttress the fruit. Delicious and fruity. Drink now.”
♦ 91 Points – Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast Magazine
“From decades’ old vines in the heart of the appellation, this wine conveys dusty milk chocolate and baked plum. It’s 100% varietal, aged almost two years in 60-gallon French oak barrels. Softly layered, and full bodied, it’s approachable now, linear in its acidity.”
♦ 91 Points – Wine & Spirits Magazine
“From a vineyard on the western benchlands of Rutherford, this is a voluminous Napa Valley cabernet with bright fruit ripeness that feels refreshing. What richness it delivers is clean and toned, focused by hints of lemon verbena and cherry skin. This should age with grace.”
♦ 90 Points – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
“The estate’s 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli-Borges is a soft, supple wine that will drink beautifully over the next few years. Sweet black cherries, plums, herbs and licorice are some of the notes that take shape in this soft, caressing Cabernet Sauvignon. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016.”
♦ 90 Points – Antonio Galloni
“The estate’s 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli-Borges is a soft, supple wine that will drink beautifully over the next few years. Sweet black cherries, plums, herbs and licorice are some of the notes that take shape in this soft, caressing Cabernet Sauvignon. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016.”
Don Thomas Vineyard, Rutherford AVA, Napa Valley
Among our most limited production wines at the Castle. This 6 acre vineyard, planted exclusively to Cabernet Sauvignon, is nestled in the rolling hills that define the western border of the Rutherford AVA in Napa Valley. Located at the valley’s widest point, Rutherford receives more sunlight during the day than other parts of the valley. This, combined with a wide variance of daytime to nighttime temperatures (average fluctuation of 12 degrees in the summer months) allows the fruit to ripen at a steady pace, and helps to make the Rutherford AVA the most famous of Napa Valley’s nested appellations for growing Cabernet Sauvignon.
♦ 96+ Points – Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate
“Composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Don Thomas Vineyard is deep purple-black in color and features vibrant notes of crushed wild blueberries, black raspberries and red and black currants with wafts of rose hips, raspberry leaves, unsmoked cigars and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tautly structured with ripe, grainy tannins and beautiful freshness framing the red and black fruit layers, finishing long and mineral laced. Drink 2020 – 2039.”
♦ 95 Points – James Suckling
“Crazy notes of blackberries, blueberries and spices such as cloves and vanilla. Full-bodied, rich yet dynamic. Silky tannins and a focused, precise finish. Complex and wonderfully crafted. Drink in 2021.”
♦ 92 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
“Another fine wine in this range, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Don Thomas Vineyard is soft, open and inviting, with lovely textural resonance and terrific depth. The mocha, black cherry jam, spice and sweet French oak fill out the wine’s voluptuous frame effortlessly.”
♦ 93 Points – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
“The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Don Thomas Vineyard comes from the Rutherford benchlands. It has a dense purple color, exhibits plenty of kirsch liqueur, blackberry fruit, dusty/loamy undertones and a full-bodied, opulent mouthfeel. This is a quintessential 2014, with oodles of fruit, a full body and a long, long finish. Drink it over the next 15-20 years.”
♦ 91 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
“The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Don Thomas Vineyard is soft, succulent and highly expressive. Mocha, chocolate, lavender and inky blue/purplish fruits all flesh out in the glass. Medium in body and forward, the 2014 will drink well with minimal cellaring.”
♦ 92 Points – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Don Thomas Vineyard is a luscious style of Cabernet Sauvignon, with loads of blackcurrant fruit, silky tannins, licorice and floral notes. The wine comes from the western border of Rutherford and is pure, rich, and while drinkable now, is certainly capable of lasting 15 or more years. ”
♦ 90 Points – James Suckling
“Lots of dark fruits and dark licorice with some walnuts. Full-bodied with boysenberry character, polished tannins and ripe fruit. Slightly one-dimensional. Drink now.”
♦ 92 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
“Deceptively medium in body, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Don Thomas Vineyard packs a serious punch. The flavors are dark and bold to the core, with plenty of black fruit, smoke, iron and spices woven throughout. A long, persistent finish rounds things out nicely. This expressive Cabernet Sauvignon should drink well for the next decade or so.”
♦ 91-93 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media (Barrel Sample)
“The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Don Thomas Vineyard stands out for its overall complexity. Intense dark fruit plays off the wine’s insistent minerality beautifully. Plum, dark cherry, graphite and smoke are some of the notes that are totally alive in the glass. The 2012 is all about persistence, structure and intensity. The flavors are vibrant and beautifully delineated throughout in this vivid, expressive Cabernet Sauvignon.”
♦ 91 Points – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
“The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Don Thomas Vineyard comes from a site on the western Mayacamas hillsides, not far from Rutherford. This cuvée exhibits more blackberry, cassis and graphite notes as well as medium to full body, attractive pure fruit, and a forward, luscious personality. Consume this refined, well-made Cabernet over the next 8-10 years.”
♦ 91 Points – Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast Magazine
“On the western edge of the appellation, this vineyard provides a juicy, dusty core of full-bodied tannins and black cherry, a generous expression of ripe fruit with a complex edge. It finishes with touches of broth and tomato leaf.”
♦ 91 Points – James Suckling
“A chewy young cabernet with dark berry, blueberry, and coffee character. Full body and slightly bitter wood undertone but shows fruit and style. Drink now.”
♦ 92 Points – James Suckling
“A balanced, fruity red with mineral and berry character, plus hints of currants. Full body with silky tannins and a fresh, tangy finish. Drink or hold.”
♦ 91 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
“Dark cherries, plums, graphite, cinnamon and flowers meld together in the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Don Thomas Vineyard. The round, supple style offers plenty of immediacy. Blackberry jam, grilled herb, violets, mint and a hint of sweet tobacco add the final flourishes of nuance. Overall though, the 2011 appears to be built for near and medium-term drinking.”
♦ Luxury Wine of 2014 – KSRO Radio
♦ 94 Points – James Laube, Wine Spectator
“Amazingly complex and refined, tuned to a mix of red and dark berry that’s elegant and graceful without sacrificing Cabernet’s power and torque. Ends with classic Bourdeaux-like cedar and cigar box touches, gliding along with fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2028.”
♦ 93 Points – James Suckling
“Best red from here with ripe-fruit, caramel, spice and coffee character. It’s full-bodied, with soft tannins and a long finish. Needs a year or two to come together.”
♦ 93 Points, Cellar Selection – Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast Magazine
“The vineyard is in Rutherford, and this 100% Cabernet does show the dusty tannins for which the commune is known. It’s also very ripe and exuberant, with tiers of black and red cherry pie, currant and oak flavors, as well as a delicious, earthy note of green olives. Forward now, but should gain in the bottle of over the next 10 years.”
♦ 92 Points – Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate
“Grilled herbs, incense, tobacco and smoke are some of the notes that emerge as the estate’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Don Thomas Vineyard shows off its intense personality. The Don Thomas is another wine that needs time for the tannins to start melting away a bit. Although a bit of a brute today, I sense plenty of potential for the future. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”
♦ 91-93 Points – Antonio Galloni (Barrel Sample)
“The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Don Thomas Vineyard is another exciting wine loaded with the essence of blueberry jam, blackberries, cassis, grilled herbs and licorice. It shows gorgeous inner perfume and plenty of richness through to the clean, vibrant finish. It is a bit texturally richer than the Barone in 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022.”
♦ Year’s Best – Wine & Spirits Magazine
Melanson Vineyard, Napa Valley AVA
The estate is one of a handful of exceptional vineyards that share an enchanted slope on the rugged eastern ridges of the Napa Valley called Pritchard Hill. This 42-acre property and 10.5 acre vineyard sit in peaceful isolation on a boulder-strewn hillside with remarkable views of Lake Hennessey and the Valley floor below. Embracing the rugged terroir, they are committed to working with the assets Mother Nature has given them: rich Sobrante Loam soils loaded with volcanic rock, elevations averaging 1,200 feet and distinct southern and western exposures. The gift of elevation places the vineyards above the fog line and allows them to receive maximum sun exposure throughout the day providing even ripening. In his mid 30’s Greg Melanson sold his Calistoga vineyard and purchased a vineyard on Pritchard Hill. He now commands a premium for his fruit and is serious about making world-class cabernet sauvignon. “My how things have changed from the early days” he says. From over 30 years of soaring above it Greg has recorded a birds-eye perspective of the evolution of the Napa Valley. His passion for flight has not waivered; he maintains commercial and ATP ratings in various types of aircraft inducing helicopters and is often seen flying a helicopter above Pritchard Hill.
♦ 97 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“All Cabernet and aged 20 months in new barrels, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Melanson Vineyard comes from a site in the hills east of the town of Saint Helena. It offers a stunning bouquet of red and black currants, tobacco leaves, damp earth, and hints of chocolate to go with a ripe, powerful, yet elegant style on the palate. Flawlessly balanced, with ripe, silky tannins, it’s certainly a gem in the vintage and has everything you could want for a classic, ageworthy, world class Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s going to develop additional nuance with 4-5 years of bottle age and have 2-3 decades of overall longevity.”
♦ 92 Points – James Suckling
“This has a very rich and attractively floral nose with fresh violets, as well as blackcurrants, cola and chocolate. The palate is very fleshy with such smooth and enveloping tannins, carrying attractive chocolate and blackberry flavors. Drink or hold.”
♦ 97 Points – Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate
“Made of 100% Cabernet Sauvingon, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Melanson Vineyard has a deep purple-black color and stunning perfume of candied violets, chocolate-covered cherries, potpourri and menthol over a warm cassis and crushed black plums core plus a waft of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is built like a brick house, with a firm, grainy texture and tons of freshness lifting the densely packed fruit to a good long finish. Drink 2020 – 2038.”
♦ 92 Points – James Suckling
“This has an entire spectrum of blackberry aromas, but also great freshness and crisp acidity, together with fine tannins, making this feel remarkably light on its feet for a top Napa cabernet. Great energy at the long, clean and dry finish. Try to wait until at least 2021.”
♦ 92 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
“Castello di Amorosa’s 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Melanson Vineyard is powerful and deep, with plenty of the mountain structure that is typical of this Pritchard Hill site. Mineral and savory notes abound. Graphite, smoke and exotic spices are some of the many nuances that develop in the glass. Readers should expect a potent, intense Cabernet Sauvignon that is also less overly fruity than the other wines in the range.”
♦ 91 Points – James Suckling
“Lots of cherry and currant character with chocolate and spice. Full body, round and easy tannins and a fruity finish. Drink now or hold.”
♦ 95+ Points – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
“From Pritchard Hill, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Melanson Vineyard emanates from those red, volcanic, rocky soils above Oakville in the Vaca Mountains. Rich, concentrated and intense with loads of blackberry and black raspberry fruit, cassis, floral notes and underlying earthy minerality, this is a big, backstrapping, concentrated and dense wine meant for long-term cellaring. It is approachable now, but will be better in 5-6 years and last 25-30.”
♦ 92 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
“The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Melanson Vineyard is plush and inviting, with striking textural richness and depth. Black cherry, plum, spice and menthol are all fused together in a sumptuous, striking Cabernet endowed with terrific depth. Mocha, chocolate, new French oak and lavender wrap around the juicy finish.”
♦ 94 Points – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Melanson Vineyard, from a site on Pritchard Hill, shows loads of black raspberry and blueberry fruit, a deep ruby/purple color, a touch of minerality, medium to full body, but is fruit-dominated, lush, seductive and round. It should drink well for at least 15 or so years”
♦ 90 Points – James Suckling
“Lots of dark fruits and dark licorice with some walnuts. Full-bodied with boysenberry character, polished tannins and ripe fruit. Drink now.”
♦ 93 Points, Cellar Selection – Wine Enthusiast Magazine
“From a vineyard atop Pritchard Hill, this wine delivers big, bold flavors and structure. Integrated tannins form around flavors of cloves, baking spices and dried herbs. Blackberry and black cherry pop in between a flinty, earthy side. Drink through 2022.”
♦ 93 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
“The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Melanson Vineyard is another dark, voluptuous beauty from Castello di Amorosa. Here, too, the style is deceptively mid-weight, yet there is plenty of complexity in the glass. Sweet herbs, tobacco, licorice and lavender open up as the wine builds through the mid-palate and into the finish with gorgeous intensity.”
♦ 90-92 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media (Barrel Sample)
“The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Melanson Vineyard wraps around the palate with gorgeous finesse. Soft, seamless and voluptuous to the core, the Melanson is a great example of the vintage. Sweet tobacco, spices and dried flowers all add complexity in the glass, but it is the purity of the fruit that stands out most.”
♦ 92 Points – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
“The dense ruby/purple-colored 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Melanson Vineyard comes from the eastern Vaca Mountains, overlooking St. Helena, part of the area known as Pritchard Hill (an incredible source for some great wines). This 2012 possesses beautiful black raspberry and blueberry fruit intermixed with notions of spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied, elegant but intense, it is hard to resist at present, but should evolve gracefully for a decade.”
♦ 91 Points – James Suckling
“A balanced, beautiful cabernet sauvignon. Full body but balanced and refined, with a lovely tension and freshness. Drink now.”
♦ 92 Points – Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast Magazine
“The vineyard isn’t well known, but it’s on Pritchard Hill, near much more famous sources of Cabernet. It’s a deceptive wine, so rich and flamboyant in sweet, jammy blackberries and cherries, chocolate and licorice, you want to drink the whole bottle. Yet it has the tannin-acid balance to age, possibly for a long time. Made from 100% Cab, yet produced in tiny quantities, it shows the Pritchard signature of youthful deliciousness combined with ageability.”
♦ 91 Points – Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate
“The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Melanson Vineyard is incredibly primary at this stage. Another super-ripe, opulent wine, the Melanson needs at least a few years in bottle for the flavors to emerge and the tannins to soften. Still, even today, there is a textural richness that is impossible to miss. The huge, powerful finish bodes well for the future. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”
Rapp Ranch, Coombsville AVA, Napa Valley
Long established as a premier horse ranch in the rural countryside of southern Napa Valley, is located in the heart of Coombsville. The history of Rapp Ranch is rich in horses. Originally known as the premier breeding & training grounds for quarter horses in the Napa Valley, this property located in the heart of Coombsville, became world renown throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Utilizing a variety of barns, riding arenas and outdoor spaces, Rapp Ranch produced some of the top award winning international competitors. Continuing on to present day, the name Rapp Ranch has became synonymous with outstanding quality. The defining characteristics of Coombsville, the newest sub-appellation in the Napa Valley, are the long, cool growing seasons that reward patient winemakers with intensely concentrated and complex wines. Our single vineyard Cabernet from Rapp Ranch is inky purple in color, with an imposing structure that frames a mouthful of savory spices, blackberries, and wild herbs. The tannins are silky and smooth, leading to a remarkable impression of black fruits and lingering flavors on the palate.
♦ 93 Points – James Suckling
“Amorosa’s Rapp Ranch cabernet bottling has a very suave, cedary nose with regal, dark-berry aromas, typical of cabernet, as well as hints of fresh leather. The palate is so succulent and juicy with very fresh and attractively detailed tannins carrying good length. Fresh finish. Drink or hold.”
♦ 95 Points – James Suckling
“A very deep and intense wine with a gorgeous core of ripe fruit and velvety tannins and a beautiful finish. Full-bodied and flavorful. Energetic finish. Reserved. Better in 2020.”
♦ 93+ Points – Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate
“Deep purple-black in color, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Rapp Ranch displays subtle black raspberries, black and red cherries and black currants with hints of wild thyme, damp soil and tree bark. Medium to full-bodied, firmly textured with plenty of youthful, crunchy fruit, it has a pleasantly chewy finish.”
Villa Amorosa, Diamond Mountain AVA, Napa Valley
A single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the volcanic soils of the hillside vineyards in the Diamond Mountain District AVA. The firm structure is backed by layers of blackcurrant, ripe cherry, cassis and cedar. Meant for cellaring up to 10 years. This 30 acre estate vineyard surrounds the Castello in the rolling foothills of the Diamond Mountain District, and is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Merlot, Primitivo, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. The unique, porous volcanic soils and extended sun exposure above the fog line help to produce rich and powerful Cabernet Sauvignons with chewy textures and diamond-hard tannins. Fruit from this vineyard is the focal point of our Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon and is also used in our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese.
2016 VINTAGE
♦ Connoisseurs Guide to California Wine (90 Points)
“If very much showing the tighter and tougher structure of its mountain origin, this very solid and somewhat gutsy youngster wants for nothing in the way of deep, well-extracted fruit, and its teasing suggestions of vanilla and forest floor auger well for certain complexity to come with time. Its still-gritty tannins warn off hasty drinking without raising any questions about its ability to age, but age it most definitely needs, and we would lobby for no fewer than five with every expectation that it will keep improving for ten.”
Manley Vineyard, Rutherford AVA, Napa Valley
On the corner of Manley Lane & Highway 29 in Rutherford is Castello’s newest estate vineyard located in the Rutherford AVA. Home of unique terrior and home to some of the Napa Valley’s most historic and world-reknown wines. The property is part of the Rutherford AVA and is known for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard gives us a chance to continue our tradition of producing fine Napa Valley Cabernet’s. The legend of Rutherford dust starts with the regions superior soil makeup. The lighter dirt on the valley floor helped differentiate it from the other Napa Valley AVA’s. In Rutherford, the deeper soils and microclimates create longer growing seasons and ‘hang time’ that seem to round out the tannins in a soft, dusty style.
FIRST VINTAGE 2021
♦ Update From Winemaker Peter Velleno
“The first grapes we harvested from our new Manley Lane Vineyard were in 2021. The wine is a great addition to our portfolio. It remains to be seen if we will bottle it as a single vineyard wine, or use it in our Rutherford Cab or other reserve blends, but it is tasting very nice and our hopes are high.It is similar in style to the nearby Morisoli-Borges Vineyard also on the valley floor in Rutherford, but the Manley wine is not quite as bold in structure. Rather, the tannins have a velvety touch. We are really happy with the results so far.”
Voyager Vineyard, Napa Valley
This fine Italian single-vineyard varietal has been a popular choice since its creation. Located on the Silverado Trail just south of the town of Yountville, the Sangiovese fruit from this vineyard tends to exhibit wild berry and spice aromas classic to its variety, yet the intensity and texture of the wine more closely resembles a fine Cabernet Sauvignon.
2018 VINTAGE
♦ Wine Spectator Magazine (91 Points)
“Blackberry and blueberry flavors at the core are ripe and fleshy, with details of spice, tobacco, Earl Grey tea and dried lavender, with firm tannins and terrific harmony on the finish. Drink now. 992 cases made.” —M.W.
♦ Wine Enthusiast Magazine (90 Points)
“An entirely varietal wine, this opens in rustic pomegranate, cranberry, earth and cedar, with a juicy midpalate of full-bodied ripeness and rich layers. A hint of gamy deli meat and black pepper round it out on the finish.” – Virginie Boone
Cresta d’Oro Vineyard, Green Valley AVA, Sonoma County
Located in the sub-AVA of Green Valley, on the edge of the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County. Situated only 15 miles from the coast, calm, foggy mornings give way to warm afternoons and cool, breezy nights, providing a perfect climate for growing Pinot Noir. The Vineyard is planted with 12 acres of clones 115, 777, and Pommard 4, which are nourished by the Gold Ridge sandy loam soils of this historic district. The 2015 vintage was the first release of this Pinot Noir under the name Michael’s Vineyard. The 2016 and 2017 vintages were bottled under the Three Arrows Ranch name, and the 2018 vintage onward will be named Cresta d’Oro Vineyard.
♦ Wine Enthusiast Magazine (90 Points)
“Tasting of strawberry cream, this is a lively and fresh wine with cool-climate acidity that keeps it vibrant in contrast to the underlying richness of ripe fruit. Melon, cherry and raspberry fill out a fleshy midpalate that is lightly spiced in nutmeg and rose.” – Virginie Boone
♦ Double Gold Medal – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
“There were over forty-eight judges, representing various North American wine regions, evaluating 5,816 wines from nearly 1,000 wineries for the 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.”
♦ American Fine Wine Competition (93 Points)
“Review Coming Soon”
♦ San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (Double Gold Medal)
“The 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition was completed on March 5. There were over forty-eight judges, representing various North American wine regions, evaluating nearly 5,700 wines from over 1,000 wineries.”
♦ 90 Points – Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast Magazine
“Gamy elements of deli meat, and tight, potent tannins mark this wine, which is elegantly restrained in style. Tangy cranberry and orange flavors emphasize its overall brightness and lasting notes of dried herb.”
♦ Double Gold Medal – 2019 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Terra de Promissio, Sonoma Coast AVA, Sonoma County
“The Land of Promise” is a family owned and operated vineyard that grows Sonoma Coast pinot noir grapes. The vineyard is located in the Sonoma Coast AVA, outside Petaluma, California in Sonoma County, Terra de Promissio has an ideal terrior for pinot noir grapes. owned and operated vineyard in the famed Petaluma Gap, where the wind and fog are funneled through the hillsides to create the perfect cool climate growing region for Pinot Noir. The soil, southwest sun exposure, hill elevation, vine density and the wind and fog of the Petaluma Gap allow the Terra de Promissio grapes to have a slow maturation and extended hang time, which allows optimum ripeness. These are ideal conditions for the pinot noir grape and part of the formula for quality that results in intensely flavored wines. Two distinct clones (777 and 115) are planted here in clay loam soils, and the vineyard’s southwest exposure allows the fruit to mature to perfection, producing an elegant and balanced wine.
♦ 91 Points – Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast Magazine
“Juicy black fruit leads the way to a wealth of black-tea, oak and forest notes in this well-made, elegantly styled wine. Good acidity keeps it fresh and lengthy, the tannins supple and well behaved, providing structure and balance.”
♦ Best of Class – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
“The 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition was completed on March 5. There were over forty-eight judges, representing various North American wine regions, evaluating nearly 5,700 wines from over 1,000 wineries.”
♦ 93 Points – Connoisseur’s Guide to California Wine
“Here is a Pinot that goes a bit further than most when it comes to substance and fruity fullness, but it does so with a great sense of style and is surprisingly graceful and polished for the ample wine that it is. It keeps its sights set on wonderfully pure, optimally ripened, cherry-like fruit from beginning to end and, at every stop, is sweetened by seamlessly fit oak. By every measure, a layered and lovely Pinot that is downright delicious right now, it is destined to reveal more complexity and finesse over time, but, even if patience will bring sure rewards, we fully admit that waiting will not come easy.”
♦ Gold Medal – 2016 American Fine Wine Competition
♦ 90 Points – James Laube, Wine Spectator
“Marked by smoky, toasty oak that initially covers the raspberry and wild berry flavors. Fine-grained tannins and minerality fill in the gaps on the finish. Drink now through 2021.”
Morning Dew Ranch, Anderson Valley
This Castello Estate vineyard was purchased in 2015 from Burt Williams, founder of the iconic William Selyem Winery. The 12 acre vineyard, located just west of the town of Philo in Anderson Valley, is in a very cool microclimate and divided into 9 blocks of Pinot Noir planted with DRC, 115, 777, Rochioli, 23, and 828 clones. Located in a very cool microclimate in the steep hillsides overlooking Anderson Valley. It will be sustainably farmed by our Vineyard Team and Manager, David Bejar. The 2016 vintage received 94 points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Morning Dew Ranch was named one of the Top 5 Pinot Noir Vineyards in Anderson Valley in February 2018 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine (Jim Gordon).
♦ 93 Points – Wine Enthusiast Magazine
“Moderate tannins, plenty of ripe strawberry and cherry flavors and a broad texture make this an outstanding, mouthfilling wine. Grown on a 12-acre hillside vineyard, it offers hints of vanilla and cinnamon to integrate with almost jammy red fruits.” – Jim Gordon
♦ 94 Points, Editors’ Choice – Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast Magazine
“Tempting fruit flavors run deep and long in this full-bodied, focused and concentrated wine made from a vineyard established by Burt Williams of Williams Selyem. Black cherry and rhubarb ring clear as a bell while subtle clove, ginger and cinnamon add complexity. A mouth-filling texture and lingering finish complete the picture.”
♦ 94 Points, Editors’ Choice – Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast Magazine
“Bold and spicy, this firmly built wine is the first Morning Dew Ranch vineyard-designate from the new owners of the estate. It starts with exotic and enticing aromas of fresh mint, basil and clove, then delivers pure, focused black fruits and a generous dose of new-oak spice on the palate. Healthy, lip-smacking tannins and firm acidity give it great structure, yet there’s no hurry to enjoy this wine. Best after 2020.”
♦ 94 Points – Rich Cook, Wine Reviews Online
“A complex, layered expression, featuring black cherry, sage, damp earth and a touch of pepper in the aroma profile. The palate follows suit, with lively acidity knitting the promised flavors into a long, intriguing glass of Anderson Valley. This will ride well alongside fish, pork or beef, and I’d lean into the herbs in the food prep. Another winner from Brooks Painter and his winemaking team.”
♦ 94 Points – Kirsten Georgi, The Armchair Sommelier
“100% Pinot Noir from the 12-acre Morning Dew Ranch vineyard. Aged for 10 months in French Burgundy oak barrels. Medium ruby in color. Wow. Layers and layers of complexity. Strawberry, fresh red cherries, cola, vanilla, clove, cocoa, tobacco. Gorgeous structure — soft yet strong (but not bullying) tannins, and engaging acidity. I say again, wow. Sometimes, in my zeal for Burgundy, I forget just how transformative California Pinot Noir can be when it’s made well. And this one is made very well. It’s elegant, classy, and thought-provoking. 13.9% ABV. Retail = $75. I’d buy a case of this stuff without hesitation.”
♦ 92 Points – The Wine Guys
“When we think of @thecastello , we tend to go with incredibly beautiful big castle that every tourist goes to for Italian varietals and Cabernet. But here comes a new vineyard from them and the Pinot Noir from it is pretty good and a nice change of pace. Notes of toasted marshmallow, leather, molasses, black cherries, oak spice, vanilla and ripe raspberries. Big, rich, mouthfeel that punches dark berries with generous oak notes. Despite the big palate, surprising decent amount of acidity on the finish, fairly good structure, and well integrated tannins. Fans of the big and lush, this is your jam, pun intended, this screams California. Enjoy over the next 5-7 years.”
♦ 91 Points – Wine & Spirits Magazine
“Burt Williams planted this 12-acre vineyard west of Philo and later sold it to Dario Sattui in 2016; this is Amorosa’s first release from the property. It’s a cool and generous pinot, rich with grapeskin spice and fleshy fruit density. The acidity comes across in hints of tangy orange and green olive. Pour it with grilled lamb studded with rosemary and garlic.”
♦ 91 Points – Issac Baker, The Terroirist
“Light purple color. Inviting aromas of plums, kirsch, sweet cherries, rhubarb, cola, lightly roasted coffee. Full-bodied on the palate, nicely structured with medium tannins and acidity. Juicy and fruity with black cherries, dark plums, jammy raspberries, saucy but shows a lot of complexity in the form of cola, violets, clove, sarsaparilla, and an earthy/pine resin notes. Rich and forward but well-done.”
Boonville Ranch, Anderson Valley
This Castello Estate vineyard is located just south of the town of Boonville in Anderson Valley, a coastal valley region famed for Burgundian and Alsatian varieties. It is the primary source for all of the Anderson Valley wines created at Castello. This 34-acre ranch was planted in the late 1990’s to Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer, and Riesling. Our Anderson Valley Pinot Noir is a blend of five clones from this vineyard: 777, 115, DRC, Calera, and 667.
♦ 90 Points – Wine Enthusiast Magazine
“Review Coming Soon”
♦ 94 Points – Wine Review Online
“Castello di Amorosa trips north to Mendocino County and Anderson Valley’s hospitable terroir and brings back a triumphant representative. This Gewurztraminer has the lychee, tangerine and spice that are signatures of the area, and finishes with a lively pop of ginger. Only a few producers keep their commitment to this variety alive, and when you serve this one up at a nice Thai dinner you’ll be glad that the Castello is one of them. Well done!”
♦ 94 Points – Wine Review Online
“It’s an amazing 94 Points for this delicious Gewurztraminer which was reviewed by Rich Cook at the International Wine Review who said, “A gorgeous fragrant wine rich in aromas of rose petals, spice and tropical fruit . It reveals excellent structure and balance, a focused palate of pure fruit flavors and a long persistent finish. A magnificent wine that shows how well Gewurztraminer does in the Anderson Valley.”
♦ Best of Class – 2020 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
♦ Best of Class – 2019 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
♦ Best of Class – 2018 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
♦ Sweepstakes Winner – 2017 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
♦ Gold Medal – 2016 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
♦ Best of Class – 2014 San Francisco International Wine Competition
♦ 91 Points – Bacchus and Beery
“Think of pairing with grilled scallops, sushi, spicy Thai and even lemon peppered chicken. This “Dry” Gewurztraminer has just a kiss of sweetness that rounds out the flavor profile. Aromas of Meyer lemon, honeysuckle, graham cracker and floral notes. A round and slightly viscous mouth-feel with soft acidity. Flavors of pear, Meyer lemon, tropicals, minerality and spice with honeycomb on the finish.”
♦ 90 Points – Rich Cook
“Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley has long been something of a secret treasure of American wine, particularly when it comes to this variety, and until recently the local wineries had the production market cornered. This release shows the wine acumen of the Sattui Family as they reach for prime fruit that’s a little outside of their Napa Valley home. This wine presents lychee, pear, stonefruit, fall spice and stony minerality with just enough residual sugar to keep the fruit lively and in balance with the other aromas and flavors. The long crisp finish rounds out a wine that awaits the chance to accompany your favorite Thai dishes.”
♦ Best of Class – 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
♦ Double Gold Medal – 2014 Appellation America Best-of-Appellation Program
♦ Double Gold Medal – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria AVA
Bien Nacido Vineyards (meaning “well born”) is an iconic American vineyard located in the Santa Maria Valley along the central California coast, which has been producing highly acclaimed vintages for over 40 years. Family owned and operated by the Miller family, a fifth generation California farming family, its proximity to the Pacific coast allows for one of the longest growing seasons in California, punctuated by warm, sunny afternoons and cool, foggy nights. This temperate climate, paired with shale-rich soils and constant but gentle ocean breezes, provide the perfect terroir for the cultivation of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah on the property. Bien Nacido Vineyards has been named one of the Top 25 Vineyards in the World by Wine & Spirits Magazine, and in 2010 the California State Fair named it their “Vineyard of the Year.”
♦ 93 Points – Wine Review Online
“This famous vineyard became so because of Chardonnay like this offering from Brooks Painter’s team. It combines full throttle pleasure with the structure to gain complexity of its layered varietal character with time — if you can wait. I would bet that to be an unlikely prospect if you taste it now. The current deliciousness factor is seductive.”
♦ 91 Points – Wine Enthusiast Magazine
Ripe peach, sharp Meyer lemon-juice, pineapple and butterscotch aromas come through on this bottling by a winery that was nearly losed in the glass fire. Theres a briny character to the sip, where dried honeysuckle and Meyer lemon-peel flavors slide into a caramel finish.”
♦ Gold Medal – 2019 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
♦ 91 Points – Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast Magazine
“Soft and inviting on the plushly textured nose, this bottling by a Napa winery sourcing from the iconic Santa Maria vineyard offers popcorn, butterscotch, fresh apple blossom and salted stone-fruit aromas. The flavors are classic and straightforward in the citrusy style, with Meyer lemon, nectarine, pineapple and butter.”
♦ 93 Points, Wine of the Week – Bill Eyer, Cuvée Corner
“Love, love the fruit produced from this vineyard. It’s not often that I give domestic Chardonnay this kinda praise, but one deserves it. In both flavor and texture this wine is rich and creamy. Prepare to be dazzled by a Chardonnay that delivers intensity and a depth of focus I rarely see. Bosc pears, peach, sweet tangerine delight the senses, nutmeg and vanilla scented oak take a back seat, while zesty acid drives the soccer moms minivan. Full bodied, vibrant and the finish is memorable.”
♦ 92 Points – Ken Hoggins, Ken the Wine Guy
“This yellow colored Chardonnay from the Bien Nacido Vineyard opens with a wet stone, mild oak, gentle lemon and apple bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, slightly acidic and feels creamy in your mouth. The flavor profile is a very tasty pear and gentle minerality blend with light vanilla oak and faint lemon mixed in. The finish is dry and its flavors and acidity sail away nicely. This very nice Chardonnay would pair perfectly with sherry laced lobster bisque.”
♦ 92 Points – James Melendez, James the Wine Guy
♦ Gold Medal – 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
♦ Best of Class – 2016 American Fine Wine Competition
♦ Gold Medal – 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
♦ Gold Medal – 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
♦ 92 Points – James Laube, Wine Spectator
“A real treat in exotic Chardonnay. Firm, rich and creamy, with a mix of tropical fruit flavors built around guava, pineapple, fig and melon. Full-bodied, with spicy oak and a long, lingering finish. Drink now through 2017.” November 3, 2010.
♦ Vineyard of the Year – 2010 California State Fair (Bien Nacido Vineyard)
♦ Double Gold Medal – 2011 American Fine Wine Competition
♦ Gold Medal – 2012 American Fine Wine Competition
♦ Double Gold Medal, Best of Class (Chardonnay) – American Fine Wine Competition
Best of 51 other wineries Chardonnay from around the country.
