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.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 The Cabernet Sauvignon is the workhorse of the Estate. The 2005 vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Winemaker, Rudy Zuidema, has carefully constructed this wine to allow all the varietals to complement one another and bring out the best flavour combination for this Cabernet. The wine reflects the variety of clone and rootstock combinations that are grown on the 39 acres. The estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon grapes bring a dark-fruit focus to this complex blend. Deep black cherry and licorice elements drive the nose, and are accentuated by more subtle currant, spice and mocha aromas. An enticing Cabernet Franc brightness in the mid-palate adds length to this wine's delicious Kirsch, blackberry liqueur and chocolate flavours. Finally, crisp, wet tannins from the unuauslly intense Petit Verdot bring the wine to a clean finish with cassis and espresso notes. Less than 3,400 cases were produced. "Pure, round, well-knit, black fruit, spice and dark chocolate flavours." 4 of 5 stars, Benchmark Wine, Quarterly Review of Wines Best of the Best Issue, 2008

Merlot 2005 The product of a long, cool growing season, the 2005 Estate Merlot balances powerful flavours with fine tannins that result in a natural approachability. The wine offers intricate, layered aromatics, highlighting rose petals, blackberry pie and creamy spice. On the palate this Merlot displays earth tones of coffee, sage and cedar that segue to a focused mid-palate of black fruit. The incorporation of 15% Cabernet Sauvignon in the final blend adds depth, density and structure. The wine is full-bodied, with rich, detailed tannins that integrate well with the natural acidity of the cool-vintage fruit, while the oak shows restraint, offering subtle accents of maple and cream. Less than 1,900 cases were produced. "Purple to the rim. An uplifting bouquet of black cherry, chocolate and mint. Ripe plum and blueberry fruit with tempered, well-integrated tannins. A lushness in this Merlot is clearly defined in the sweet, lengthy close." 93 points, The Wine News, Oct 2008

Cabernet Sauvignon "1886" 2005 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 2005 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 wonderous 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! "Exotically ripe, pure, texturous, well-concentrated, fruit-compote and chocolate flavours." 5 stars, Quarterly Review of Wines, Best of the Best Issue 2008 "Deep black-garnet hue. A bouquet of blueberry, plum and chocolate under an umbrella of menthol. Supple. jammy flavours of plum and blueberry with remarkable ripeness and purity of fruit. Fine tannins surface in the finish along with dusty mineral accents; however, the hedonistic sweetness continues." 94 points, The Wine News, Oct 2008

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

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