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 Some kids whine and drive their parents nuts; Cheryl Emmolo did it in reverse. As a young girl, she spent time driving her parents' tractor, and helped them make wine.
The wine bug is in Cheryl's DNA. Her grandfather, Salvatore Emmolo, moved to Napa Valley from Sicily in 1923 and established a rootstock nursery in St. Helena.
Flash forward a few decades; Salvatore's son, Frank, who was now running the family's rootstock business decided to acquire land to plant grapes. He planted a 63-acre vineyard in Rutherford, known ever since as "River Ranch."
Frank's daughter, Cheryl, spent her youth in the wine trade, driving the tractor, picking grapes, blending wine. "The wine business is like eating and sleeping - it's just part of the natural rhythm of my life," says Cheryl.
For years, the Sauvignon Blanc that grew
on the River Ranch was coveted by great area wineries; Mondavi
and Frog's Leap have used it, or still do, in their own premium
labels; it's historically been part of Caymus Vineyards' white
wine program. While there are newer vines planted at River Ranch,
a good portion of the rootstock is 50-years-old - which can
produce stunning fruit.
Smitten with the wine bug, Cheryl decided to purchase some of
this fruit from her family's vineyard ("I had to buy it like
everyone else!" she protests.) and produce her own-label wines.
Her first vintage was 1994. Veteran Napa Valley winemaker Bob
Pepi consults to the project.
2001 Emmolo, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc
A lovely, focused, juicy S.B. with calcareous notes on the middle palate and minerally notes on the finish. There's also a hint of anise and a kind of tarragon-thing at the end, too. This pleasing wine comes from vines that are among the oldest whites planted in Rutherford, quite possibly in Napa Valley. About 25% of the wine was aged in oak barrels, primarily French, and was left to age sur lie for six months. This wine was blended with S.B. that was fermented in jacketed, stainless steel vats to retain the fresh, citrus/grass character of the grape. The result is a wine that even Goldilocks would love; a just-perfect little wine that is not too tart, not too green, and not too oak-y. Perfect for all your white-drinking needs.
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ilovenapa.com Rating:
WS88
$16 |
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