Adversity Cellars, Melanson Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, 2021

About the Producer                                                                       
Crafted by Russell Bevan, one of the most sought-after winemakers in California today, Addax is an artisan winery founded by Brian Kearney and Josh Peeples. What began with a few friends and a few barrels of Cabernet in 2009 has evolved into a phenomenal portfolio of wines, including Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, Petaluma Gap and Sta. Rita Pinot Noir, and a selection of Sonoma Chardonnays.

After more than a decade, we continue our quest to work with exceptional vineyard sites to produce wines with brazen personality. As a part of The Institution family of wines, made at 2100 Hoffmane Lane, we utilize our winery in Yountville to highlight some of California’s most sought-after vineyards. Our dedicate cellar team is passionate about producing wines that stand shoulder to shoulder with the most sought after wines in the world.

Bevan is one of the most sought after winemakers today and one of the world’s most acclaimed. A superstar with critics, colleagues and consumers alike. Wine critics regularly praise his wines, providing correspondingly sky-high scores.  You would recognize his work from a number of our past wine club favorites such as Elyse, Belden Barns, Morgado, and his own label, Bevan Cellars.

Overview of the Wine
Adversity Cellars is a project from Russell and Heidi Bevan that is designed to showcase sites that have unique flavor and textural profiles from vineyards whose location forces the vines to struggle for their existence; forcing them to deal with great Adversity.

Grape / Blend
Cabernet Sauvignon

Origin
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The 2021 Melanson has big hips, and she likes to move them. Beautiful pure blue fruit notes with hints of cocoa, blueberry, cherry, and mocha. It starts with a silky smooth texture and builds in intensity, finishing with power and seduction. The Melanson full-bodied nature exudes a captivating allure that's hard to resist.

97+ Points - Jeb Dunnuck
Coming from a great site on Pritchard Hill, there are, unfortunately, a scant three barrels (75 cases) of the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Melanson Vineyard. Its deep purple color is followed by a smorgasbord-like array of cassis, blueberries, scorched earth, chocolate, and graphite. With full-bodied richness, integrated acidity, and building tannins, this could end up being a truly special wine. I suspect 4-6 years of bottle age will be the name of the game, though.

Product size: 750ml