Venge Vineyards, 'Silencieux' Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, 2023

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.

Winemaker
Kirk Venge

Grape / Blend
91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot

Origin
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes 
Wonderfully aromatic and expressive, this wine opens with scents of sweet cassis, anise, blackberries, roasted coffee, blue herbs and barrel vanillin. On the palate, the tannins are firm, upfront and balanced throughout, with all pockets of the mouth left yearning for another sip. Full-bodied and extracted with ripe black fruit, blueberries, charred caramel and a delightful hint of fresh herbs that concentrate into a lengthy finish. This wine is approachable upon release and cellar worthy in proper aging conditions.

93 Points - The Wine Palate (2022 Vintage)
The 2022 Silencieux Cabernet Sauvignon is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Aged in French oak, 50% new, for 22 months, it is deep garnet-purple colored. Black cherries, warm cassis, and dried mulberries scents charge out of the glass, followed by hints of black pepper and dusty soil. The full-bodied palate is rich and expressive with velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a lingering cinnamon note. 

Product size: 750ml