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Gandona Winery is a testament to the power of a dream, rooted in a tradition of family and place. It is the creation of founder Manuel Pires, whose childhood summers on his grandfather's farm in Portugal's Douro Valley inspired a lifelong desire to work the land. In 2006, Manuel and his wife, Cristina, found their perfect home on Pritchard Hill, one of Napa Valley's most esteemed terroirs. The estate's 17 acres are meticulously carved into steep terrain, with 12 distinct blocks each possessing a unique personality. High above Lake Hennessy, this pristine site is meticulously hand-farmed with a commitment to long-term sustainable practices, ensuring the health of the land, air, and water for generations to come.
"Encosta" (Portuguese for "hillside") is a flagship wine that embodies the richness and complexity of the Gandona Estate, a foundation for the estate's top wines. Crafted by world-renowned winemaker Philippe Melka, this wine reflects a collaborative, single-minded approach to quality.
The 2017 vintage was a challenging yet rewarding year in Napa, known for producing wines of grace and opulence. This Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend is meticulously hand-harvested and vinified in small lots. Fermentation is completed in a custom-built winery that integrates old-world techniques, such as concrete fermentation tanks, with new-world precision. The wine is then barrel-aged in a cave tucked into Pritchard Hill's rocky interior, providing consistently cool temperatures. Based on the consistent quality of the estate's other vintages, this wine was aged for an extended period, allowing its layers of flavor to seamlessly integrate and develop.
The 2017 Encosta Cabernet Sauvignon offers a highly finessed profile that continues to reveal itself with age. Expect an intense nose of black cherries, Framboise liqueur, and cherry blossoms, with fragrant notes of strawberry preserves, violet crumble, and orange zest. The palate is defined by a silky texture that glides across the palate, while mouth-watering acidity carries the brightness and elegance through a lengthy, flourishing finish. The tannins are remarkably integrated, present without being assertive, showcasing a finely tuned balance of power and elegance. | |
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