Ehlers Estate St. Helena

In 1886, San Francisco grocer Bernard Ehlers completed planting vineyards and constructing a stone winery building just north of St. Helena in the Napa Valley. "Ehlers Lane" still runs east from Hwy 29 to the original property. Various owners took over the land after it was sold by the Ehler family in 1923. The Estate became part of a number of wineries including Conn Creek, Saintsbury, Vichon and Stratford Winery. In 1987, Parisians Jean and Sylvaine Leducq began re-purchasing tracts of land, and planting them to Bordeaux varietals. In 2001, the original stone winery and home built by Bernard Ehlers were purchased, thus reuniting the original estate. The stewardship of Ehlers Estate is now in the trust of the Leducq foundation, a non-profit organization committed to funding international cardiovascular research. All profits created by the winery flow back to the foundation. Ehlers Estate's vineyards are farmed biodynamically using the system conceived by Rudolf Steiner. This was the first farming system that offered a holistic, grassroots alternative to industrialized agriculture, and is now being adopted by many of the world's finest wineries. Some of them, represented by Rogers & Company, include: Domaine Leflaive, Domaine Huet, Domaine Vacheron, Domaine Pierre Morey and Grgich Hills Cellars.

"One-Twenty Over Eighty" Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 This Meritage blend is a great example of the heights to which Napa Valley benchland Cabernet can rise. The wine is full-bodied, plush and juicy. Flavours of cocoa, cherry cola, raspberry, roasted coffee, and toasted coconut. The muscles always present in the Ehlers Cabernet are delicately massaged with the addition of 4% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, producing a wine with a big, bold, yet soft and compelling.

St. Helena Merlot 2007 This is a complex full bodied Merlot that has the balance and structure to age for decades. The flavours of raspberry and cherry cola, licorice, brambles, mint and black currants adorn this rich and dense expression of our North St. Helena terroir. This wine has a firm acidity, velvety mid-palate, and long, classic Merlot finish. "A spectacular merlot that could help resurrect the variety's reputation. It's as complex as anything from Napa, but is softer and more accessible than a Cabernet Sauvignon, which constitutes 8% of the blend. Shows ripe flavours of red cherry pie filling, raspberries and cola, almost like a Pinot Noir, except for the black currants that must come from the Cab, and of course, the tannins, which are rich and fine. Simply gorgeous and compelling. Now-2013." 93 points, Wine Enthusiast, Nov 2010

Cabernet Sauvignon "1886" 2007 The Cabernet Sauvignon 1886 is the flagship wine of Ehlers Estate. Each vintage, the bottling of this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted by choosing the vineyard blocks that best express the flavour profile of the Estate. The 2007 vintage was macerated on the skins for 33 days to contribute to the extreme complexity of this amazing Cabernet. The luscious core of fruit is intense, elegant and finely balanced. It exhibits multiple layers of flavours from black cherry, cassis, plum and tobacco to earthy tones and mocha. The fine, yet thick structure is generous, sweet, and juicy while the espresso leather and currant flavours never let you forget you are drinking a St. Helena Cabernet! "This is the winery's top bottling from the estate vineyard, off Highway 29 in St. Helena. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, it shows the variety's blackberry and cherry flavours, with notes of violets and milk chocolate. New oak to the tune of 70% adds a rich, caramelly smokiness. Very delicious, and should develop for a few years, although the softness limits long term cellaring." 93 points, Wine Enthusiast, Nov 2010 "A beautiful effort, Ehlers Estate's 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon 1886 is an homage to their founder, Bernard Ehlers, who first planted vines here in 1886. A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 3% Merlot, it boasts a deep ruby/purple colour along with a broad bouquet of black raspberries, black currants, cherries, spice and even a floral component. Medium to full-bodied with abundant fruit, purity and texture, it should drink well for at least a decade." 92 points, Wine Advocate, Dec 2010 "Smooth, rich and generous, full-bodied and intense without being heavy or ponderous, offering a mix of ripe plum, kirsch and wild berry. Holds its focus, ending with a long, layered finish. Drink now through 2017. 800 cases made." 92 points, Wine Spectator, Aug 2010

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All wines are available by the unmixed case to Licensees and Private Consumers, subject to availability.

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