Winethropology tastes the two wines: What do oligarchs drink on the weekend? Probably this. If they’re lucky, that is. Calla Lily is a relatively young, small production winery founded in 2010 in the Pope Valley, a quiet valley in the northeast corner of Napa county. And Audax is their top tier cabernet label. Packaged in
Winemaker Cary Gott is profiled: Pope Valley’s Calla Lily Winery targets China with reds By Jessica Zimmer, St. Helena Star, January 23, 2019 Pope Valley may be a little more remote than other AVAs in Napa Valley, but that hasn’t stopped one winemaker in the region from gaining an audience. By focusing on the refinement
93 points: Deep purple color. Concentrated fruit on the nose (black currant, blackberries and blueberries), with deep violets, spiced black tea, earth, cocoa and mint. Full-bodied, a bit more powerful in its presence than the 2013, but still vibrant acidity, and the tannins are sturdy but show rounded edges. Pretty depth of fruit (currants, blackberries,
93 points: Deep purple color. Nose shows tart black currant, juicy blackberries (gorgeous depth of fruit), with complex notes of mint, scorched earth, cocoa nibs, violets, deep but vibrant scents in here. Full but not heavy (14.5% alcohol), held together with sturdy tannins and surprisingly fresh acidity. Deep, concentrated but tangy black currants and dark
In the October 29, 2018 issue of The Wine Advocate, the 2016 Ultimate Cabernet Sauvignon is reviewed: 90-92 points Composed of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Ultimate (a barrel sample) is deep purple-black in color and opens with notions of crushed black cherries, blackberry
In the March 2018 issue of Vinous, Anthonio Galloni reviews the 2016 Ultimate Cabernet Sauvignon: 88-91 points: Dark, pliant and rich, with lovely mid-palate richness, the 2016 has quite a bit to offer. Hints of lavender, spice and new leather add nuance to the textured finish. The 2016 points to a very bright direction here.
The Wine Advocate reviewed the 2015 Audax in its December 2017 issue: 92-94 points: A barrel sample composed of 92.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.6% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc and 0.6% Malbec, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Audax has a complex nose of exotic spices, baked cherries and blackberries plus mulberries, baking spices, fallen leaves
The Wine Advocate reviewed the 2016 Ultimate Cabernet Sauvignon in its December 2017 issue: 90-92 points: A barrel sample with a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Ultimate shows a deep garnet-purple color and nose of cassis, blueberry coulis and black forest cake with
James Suckling reviewed the 2015 Ultimate Red on December 21, 2017: 92 points: A clean and bright red with currant, blueberry and mineral character. Medium to full body, bright acidity and fine tannins. Fresh finish. Delicious now. A blend of 74.9% cabernet sauvignon, 12.1% cabernet franc, 11.2% merlot, 1.8% malbec. Always delicious. https://www.jamessuckling.com/wine-tasting-reports/napa-valley-dials-balance-hot-2015-vintage-2014-makes-easy/
On December 21 James Suckling reviewed the 2014 Ultimate Red Pinot Noir: 91 points: Aromas and flavors of green tea and dried strawberry with some meat and earth. Full body, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Big style but dry and intense at the finish. Napa Valley Dials in the Balance in Hot 2015 vintage; 2014
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
In Issue 233 on October 31, 2015 Ultimate Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded 91 points from The Wine Advocate. The review: A blend of 74.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.1% Cabernet Franc, 11.2% Merlot and 1.8% Malbec, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Ultimate is scented of warm plums and crushed cherries with hints of vanilla, chocolate
Dark garnet in color, this wine smells of black cherry and chocolate. In the mouth, rich black cherry, cola, and cocoa powder flavors are muffled under a fleecy blanket of tannins. For those who like big wines, this is a crowd pleaser. A bit massive for my tastes, but reasonably well balanced, nonetheless. Could use
Vinography reviews the 2012 Audax: Dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of raisins, chocolate and oak. In the mouth, the fruit is fresher than the nose would suggest, with cherry and cola and tobacco flavors tinged with oak and surrounded by a suede blanket of tannins. Decent acidity makes for that fresher quality,
Rich Cook reviews the 2012 Audax at WineReviewOnline on July 11, 2017: This audacious debut of a premium label from Calla Lily Wines is a muscular, post-modern take on Napa Cabernet, with bold structure, depth and palate weight. It displays aromas and flavors of blackberry, cassis, pepper and graphite delivered in a dry style, with
