Adversity Cellars, Melanson Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, 2023

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.

Winemaker
Russell Bevan

Grape / Blend
Cabernet Sauvignon

Origin
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
This is as close as I’ve ever come to capturing the soul of those magical early '90s Bryant Family wines crafted by the legendary Helen Turley. I’ll never claim to be her equal, but her wines left an indelible impression on me, especially the way they danced with ripe blueberry and cherry fruit, wrapped in decadent, seamless textures. That richness… that magic… I’ve chased it for decades. And with this 2023 Melanson, I believe I caught it.

It’s pure magic in a glass.

97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
Red and black fruits, baking spices, classy oak, graphite, and even a hint of espresso all emerge from the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Melanson Vineyard, another serious wine from this producer offering flawless overall balance, ripe, building tannins, and a great, great finish. It's probably not for the instant gratification crowd, and the cellar will be your friend.

Product size: 750ml