Artefact, our Napa Valley Cabernet-based blend, made with a nod to the old Bordeaux tradition of blending in a little Hermitage, comes from a cooler climate, Coombsville - east of the city of Napa - and a considerably warmer site in St. Helena. These complementary sources and varietals lead to a very complex wine. Aromas of cassis, Asian spice, vanilla and toasty oak introduce an extremely supple and lithe palate, with focused, concentrated flavors of plum, cherry and chocolate. The finish is long and elegant. To give this wine an added element of complexity and elegance, we aged it in 100% new French oak for 22 months.
Relic fashions some intriguing blends, the finest of which is their superb 2007 [sic] Artefact, a combination of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Petit Verdot and Syrah. An inky/purple color gives up scents of melted licorice, white chocolate, blackberries, and charcoal. Full-bodied with sweet tannins, a lush, heady mouthfeel, and a long, layered finish, this hedonistic, lavishly rich red can be drunk over the next decade.
Minty herb, sage and dried berry flavors are elegant and supple, full-bodied and smooth-textured, offering hints of pepper, sage and dusty berry. Ends with a long, full finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Syrah. Best from 2010 through 2016.
Bright ruby-red. Black raspberry and cassis aromas complicated by smoke, pepper, cedar and herbs. Fat, supple and sweet but with very good aromatic lift to the velvety, slightly liqueur-like dark berry flavors. Licorice and pepper notes lift the finish. Not especially complex but very smooth.
