Venge Vineyards, 'Igneous' Cabernet Sauvignon, Calistoga, Napa, California, 2021

Overview of the Wine
The Venge (ven-ghee) family has farmed vitis vinifera varieties in Napa Valley for nearly half a century. It is a journey that began when Knud Venge emigrated from Denmark to the United States in the early 1900’s. Knud's son, Per Venge, found his passion in the wine and spirits industry and started Vencom Imports, focusing on the importation of Western European fine wines and spirits. It was Per's son, Nils Venge, who left the family business in the 1960's with a vision to study viticulture at UC Davis and establish the family name as an icon in the winegrowing community.

The family's viticultural roots flourished in 1976 with the purchase of a 17-acre vineyard in the Oakville District that was planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This fortunate development cast the family among the winemaking pioneers of Napa Valley.

Nils' and Dianna Venge's son, Kirk Venge, gravitated to winemaking at an early age. He proved to be as talented a winemaker as his father, making wines in his own style, with a vision to build on the family legacy. In 2008, Kirk achieved his lifelong dream and acquired full ownership of Venge Vineyards. Today, Kirk continues the Napa Valley heritage, focusing on select vineyard sites that produce fruit worthy of bearing the Venge family name.

Grape / Blend
Cabernet Sauvignon

Origin
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes 
Born from fire and magmatic rock, Igneous Cabernet Sauvignon pays homage to the volcanic nature of the Calistoga Growing District. Situated at the gateway of the Napa River headwaters and the alluvial base of Mount Saint Helena, we find magmatic forces that jettison healing hot springs, mineral rich soils, and a slightly warmer than average growing environment.Ideal conditions for producing perfection in the glass!

Blocks BA2, LC9, & CDM

BA2 | Venge’s Bone Ash Vineyard Block 2, Calistoga Estate
LC9 | Larkmead’s Estate Vineyard Block 9, Calistoga
CDM | Cavey Vineyard’s Diamond Mountain Estate, Calistoga

93-95 Points - The Wine Independent 

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck 
First made in 2019 and focused on sites in Calistoga, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Igneous, Blocks Ba2, L9, Cdm comes from a handful of vineyards (as well as parcel selections) and was aged 19 months in 85% new French oak. It has lots of red and black fruits as well as textbook Calistoga savoriness, herbal, chocolate, and mineral-like aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied and balanced, with terrific purity and outstanding length, this ranks with the top handful of wines at this price point.

Product size: 750ml