Calla Lily is a new project of Napa Valley icon and true wine Renaissance man, Cary Gott. If you are a northern California wine fan you have likely encountered Cary’s Midas touch throughout Napa, Sonoma, and the Central Coast. With so many great wine accomplishments, I must confess my favorite is Gott’s Roadside, nothing beats a juicy burger after a day of wine tasting in Napa Valley. Calla Lilly is Cary’s latest joint project with Hong Kong based entrepreneurs Anthony Fung and Andy Chui.

The 2013 Calla Lily Ultimate Red is crafted of 81.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10.8% Merlot, and 7.6% Cabernet Franc. This Bordeaux style blend is a deep blackish-purple with layers of complex notes including dark berries, leather, baking spice, dusty earth, cocoa powder, dried lavender and fennel; it is lush on the palate, rich and powerful, yet well integrated with supple tannins and a long finish.

The 2012 Calla Lily Audax is crated of 89.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Petit Verdot, 4.1% Merlot, and 0.1% Malbec. Audax, meaning “bold” in Latin, aptly describes this wine. This wine is deep and seductive, pronounced earthiness of black pepper, medicinal, asphalt, leather, and cocoa powder stand front and center, while cherries, plums, blackberries play a supporting role. Give it a couple hours decant and this splurge worthy wine will be the start of your holiday table.

December 2017