93+ Points ~ 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Ultimate Red ~ Isaac Baker
Deep purple color. The nose shows gorgeous currants, black cherries, and cassis, with evocative notes of pepper, sage, menthol, mint, and a host of earthy, gravelly, stony aromas that need time so show their full effect. The palate shows tart, welcome acidity, framing the grippy tannins well, and sporting a dark core of currants, plums, and black cherries. Such freshness in the fruit, and the complexities abound: mint, charcoal, rocky earth, pencil shavings, black pepper, violet potpourri. This will benefit from age, but the young expressiveness is impressive. A 2019 Napa classic that drinks like a wine two or three times its price. Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. (93+ points IJB)
93 points for 2019 Ultimate Red from James Suckling
Aromas of leafy herbs, blackcurrants, wet stone and ink. Full-bodied with soft, silky tannins. Juicy and succulent fruit on the palate, with some lovely mineral notes poking through. Steady and nicely balanced. Nice length, too. Drink or hold.
90 points for 2018 Ultimate Cabernet Sauvignon in The Wine Advocate
Calla Lily's 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Ultimate Red delivers scents of Ribena, sage and a hint of bay leaf on the nose. It's medium to full-bodied, silky in texture and maybe a touch tart on the finish, but it's a solid effort.
91 points for 2019 Ultimate Red Cabernet Sauvignon in The Wine Advocate
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Ultimate Red actually benefits from being a big larger-scaled than previous vintages, boasting attractive cedar and cassis aromas as well as more volume on the palate than the 2018. Full-bodied and velvety, it finishes with a touch of licorice.
93 points for 2018 Ultimate Cabernet Sauvignon
James Suckling reviewed the 2018 Ultimate Cabernet Sauvignon on January 26, 2022: Aromas of cassis, blackberry, chocolate, vanilla, peppermint and cedar. Full-bodied with plush tannins. Firm and structured, yet creamy, with a caressing, ripe core of black fruit and sweet spice. Drink from 2023. https://www.jamessuckling.com/tasting-notes/172540/calla-lily-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-ultimate-red-2018
2016 Ultimate Cabernet Sauvignon has “huge presence and substance” at BiggerThanYourHead
The Calla Lily “Ultimate Red” Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Napa Valley, is a blend of 84 percent cabernet sauvignon, 6 percent each cabernet franc and merlot and 4 percent malbec, aged 22 months in French oak, 40 percent new barrels. The wine displays an inky-purple robe that shades to a magenta rim; iodine, iron and graphite, intense and concentrated blue and black fruit; large-framed, lithe and supple, with huge presence and substance; loads of dusty, graphite-ridden tannins and granitic elements. 14.5 percent alcohol. Try 2022 or ’23 through 2030 to ’33. Very Good+ for now, perhaps Excellent potential. Calla Lily is a venture helmed by Napa Valley veteran Cary Gott, with the investment of a few businessmen from Hong Kong. The clear intent is to fashion cabernet-based wines for those with patience and cool cellars. https://biggerthanyourhead.net/2021/07/the-typical-power-the-occasional-glory-and-the-elusive-elegance-of-napa-valley-cabernet-sauvignon/
2016 Ultimate Cabernet receives 94 points in July issue of Tasting Panel Magazine
94 points: The first vines on this 20-acre estate vineyard, located in Pope Valley on the eastern side of Howell Mountain, were planted in 1995; the property also boasts a small plot of pre-phylloxera vines. Winemaker Cary Gott’s aging regimen for this blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot is 22 months in 40% new French oak. Dry, chalky tannins grip the teeth with sage and plum as graphite and deep notes of mocha keep the senses alert. This is an accessible yet exceedingly regal red, with pepper and mountain brush emerging through a veil of black cherry and tilled soil.
Profiled by SyrahQueen on February 20, 2021: “Classic Napa Cabernet done right”
Calla Lily Winery – A Boutique Napa Valley Winery Off The Beaten Path February 20, 2021 When visiting Napa Valley, a trip to Pope Valley is a must. Experience authentic Napa Valley, it is the quieter and less pretentious side of Napa. Pope Valley has risen in stature in recent years, producing prestigious Cabernet Sauvignon’s that are intense and vibrant. One of the newer and more renowned projects in the Pope Valley is Calla Lily Winery. Calla Lily has an elegant portfolio of wines that are produced around the imagery of calla lily, a flower of enormous beauty and refinement. These are the exact qualities that the winery strives to express in its wines. Calla Lily Winery spans 95 acres in Pope Valley, just down the hill from Howell Mountain in the heart of Napa Valley. With the help of Cary Gott, Calla Lily was founded by Anthony Fung and Andy Chui, two Hong Kong-based entrepreneurs. The goal is to produce artisanal, low-production, boutique wines. Calla Lily produces only estate wines, with 20-acres of estate vineyards consisting of Bordeaux varieties. The first vines were planted in 1995 and today there are 12 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 5 acres of Petite
2016 Ultimate reviewed in April 2021 Wine Enthusiast
From a vineyard high atop Howell Mountain, with small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, this red is thick and densely built in mocha, sage and cedar. Rich layers of vanilla and milk chocolate give it a roundedness and soft, supple structure.
Wine Enthusiast awards 91 points to 2013 Ultimate Cabernet Sauvignon
91 points: Muted on the nose, this wine develops at its own pace, revealing juicy, dusty layers of integrated tannin and oak, with lingering red currant and raspberry fruit. Medium in body and light in mouthfeel, it's softened by the addition of 11% Merlot and a small amount of Cabernet Franc. July 2017 https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/calla-lily-2013-ultimate-red-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley/
Owen Bargreen gives 2016 Ultimate Red 92 points
92 points: The 2016 Calla Lily ‘Ultimate Red’ is comprised of nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon (84%) sourced from the 20 acre estate vineyard located in the Pope Valley and is a really good effort by winemaker Cary Gott. Aged for 22 months in 40% new French oak, the toasty oak tones neatly combine with layers of dark fruits, fresh thyme and chocolate that all come together aromatically. The palate is velvety with light tannins that frame the core of downright delicious dark fruits with chocolate tones. Fantastic to savor in its youth, this beautiful wine will cellar well for more than a decade. Drink 2020-2032. October 2020 http://owenbargreen.com/
2016 Ultimate reviewed by NittanyEpicurean
This wine is mostly cabernet sauvignon (84%) blended with small amounts of cabernet franc (6%), merlot (6%) and petit verdot (4%). The fruit was all grown in the Napa Valley. Following fermentation, the wine was aged for 26 months in French oak barrels (40% new). It comes in at 14.5% ABV. The wine showed a dark ruby almost opaque color. Black cherry, raspberry preserves, cassis, vanilla, licorice and oak all arrived on the robust and complex nose. Black cherry, raspberry preserves, cassis, vanilla, eucalyptus, licorice and oak followed on the palate where the black cherry stole the show. The wine was full-bodied and exhibited excellent length along with big, chewy tannins. This wine could cellar for 5-6 years or enjoyed now after decanting alongside a grilled Tomahawk ribeye. October 14, 2020 https://nittanyepicurean.blogspot.com/2020/08/2016-calla-lily-ultimate-red-cabernet.html
2017 Ultimate receives 93 points from James Suckling
James Suckling reviewed the 2017 Ultimate: 93 points: A tight, well-structured red with currant, chocolate and hazelnut aromas and flavors. Medium to full body and a rich palate with juicy fruit, yet there’s underlying freshness and focus. Needs a year or two to come together, but already looking excellent. Better after 2022. https://www.jamessuckling.com/tasting-notes/136947/calla-lily-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-ultimate-red-2017/
2017 Ultimate Red receives 93 points from James Suckling
James Suckling reviewed the 2017 Ultimate Red: 93 points: A tight, well-structured red with currant, chocolate and hazelnut aromas and flavors. Medium to full body and a rich palate with juicy fruit, yet there’s underlying freshness and focus. Needs a year or two to come together, but already looking excellent. Better after 2022. https://www.jamessuckling.com/tasting-notes/136947/calla-lily-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-ultimate-red-2017/
2016 Ultimate awarded 93 points in September Tasting Panel Magazine
September 2020 issue of Tasting Panel Magazine: 93 points: Winemaker Cary Gott crafted this small-production blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, which aged 22 months in (40% new) French oak. At 14.8% ABV, it possesses a statuesque and broad-shouldered character. Tarry blackberry, dark chocolate, slate and licorice take command on the palate’s luxurious pinnacle alongside great acidity.
2016 Ultimate Red is highly recommended in California Grapevine
September 2020 issue of California Grapevine: Highly recommended. Medium to medium-dark ruby; fragrant, floral, blackberry fruit aroma with hints of cassis, cocoa powder, and black olive; full body; rich, rounded, dark fruit flavors with hints of dried herbs and baking spice, and undertones of sweet oak; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Could use another year or two of bottle aging.
2016 Ultimate awarded 93 points by James Suckling:
93 points: Deep, rich and velvety, this has a ton of fine tannins to balance the ripe blackberry, cassis and plum aromas. Although this isn’t tart, beneath the plush exterior is nice freshness that keeps this straight and prevents it from feeling heavy. Lovely interplay between delicately sweet fruit and dry tannins at the long finish. Drink or hold.
2016 Ultimate Red scored at 92 points in WashingtonWineBlog
The 2016 Calla Lily ‘Ultimate Red’ is comprised of nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon (84%) sourced from the 20 acre estate vineyard located in the Pope Valley and is a really good effort by winemaker Cary Gott. Aged for 22 months in 40% new French oak, the toasty oak tones neatly combine with layers of dark fruits, fresh thyme and chocolate that all come together aromatically. The palate is velvety with light tannins that frame the core of downright delicious dark fruits with chocolate tones. Fantastic to savor in its youth, this beautiful wine will cellar well for more than a decade. Drink 2020-2032. http://www.washingtonwineblog.com/new-reviews#/california
Winethropology tastes the 2014 Ultimate Red
A little brother of sorts to the Audax bottlings. Close your eyes and think dark, luxe cabernet made expertly in a classic Napa style. That's this. April 2019, http://www.winethropology.com/2019/04/speed-dating-notes-from-trade-tasting.html
Winemaker Cary Gott Interviewed by St. Helena Star
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 of red wines, Calla Lily Estate & Winery in Pope Valley is meeting the demands of the Chinese market by focusing on red wines, particularly Bordeaux varietals. “In China and Hong Kong, customers prefer red wines. They see Napa Valley as an important wine-producing region of these wines after Bordeaux and Australia, among others,” said Calla Lily’s winemaker Cary Gott. Hong Kong-based entrepreneurs Anthony Fung and Andy Chui bought the property formerly known as Cleavage Creek Winery from the Brown family in 2011. Calla Lily produced its first vintage that year and since, it has sent two to three containers of wine per year to China. That leaves only a small percentage of the crop to market in the U.S. “We are now seeing these luscious wines that are elegant and represent the hillside terroir of the Calla Lily Estate vineyard in Pope Valley. Most
2016 Ultimate Cabernet receives 90-92 from The Wine Advocate
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 pie and warm cassis plus suggestions of lavender, black tea, bouquet garni and unsmoked cigars. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a very firm, chewy backbone supporting the red, black and blue fruit layers, finishing on a compelling herbal note.
2016 Ultimate Red receives 88-91 points from Antonio Galloni
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. https://vinous.com/wines?sort%5Bdirection%5D=asc&sort%5Bname%5D=id&wine_filter%5Barticle_id%5D=1791&wine_filter%5Bproducer_id%5D=23441&producer=true
2016 Ultimate Red receives 90-92 points from The Wine Advocate
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 hints of dried herbs and vanilla. Big, full, rich and fruity in the mouth with a nice frame of grainy tannins, it finishes long and refreshing. https://www.robertparker.com/wines/7GMEDCWo4PFCgSxGe
2015 Ultimate Red receives 92 points from James Suckling
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/
RockinRed reviews the 2012 Audax and 2013 Ultimate Red
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
94 Points ~ 2018 Calla Lily Estate Audax ~ Isaac Baker
Vibrant purple color. Such an inviting nose, with dark, tangy currants and plums, plenty of savory nuances (tar, tobacco, pepper) with herbal earthy tones (tobacco, eucalyptus, red pepper flakes) – a lot of fun to swirl and sniff. The palate is framed with fresh acidity and grippy tannins that show the more refined edges. The fruit is a tangy, lovely compote of black cherries and currants, and mixes well with tones of anise, black pepper, rose petals. Plenty of earthy, stony, Napa goodness, and the nuances of cocoa and oak and woven in expertly. Open and expressive now (I’d decant for sure), but holding off for five to seven will result in an awesome experience. Cabernet with dabs of Petit Verdot and Merlot. (94 points IJB)
93 points for 2019 Audax from James Suckling
Inviting aromas of wet minerals, black licorice, ground spice, and dried herbs. Full-bodied with silky tannins. Linear and long. Plenty of gravel and wet-stone complexity here. Nicely composed. Drink or hold.
2016 Audax receives 95 points in July/August issue of Tasting Panel Magazine
4 ½ kisses | 95 points The name is a reference to the audacity of Napa’s early grape growers and winemaker Cary Gott exceeds expectations on that score, using fruit grown at an elevation of over 800 feet on the 20-acre Calla Lily estate on the eastern side of Howell Mountain. This round, robust red has a plush, angelic texture and a dusky core that peeks through an elegant mantle. Flavors of black plum, expresso, and licorice intensify as they cross the palate toward the generous finish.
92 points for 2018 Audax in The Wine Advocate
Nearly 95% Cabernet Sauvignon (the balance is mostly Petit Verdot), the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Audax is a big step up from the 2017, boasting more refinement and purity of expression. Scents of cassis and blueberry take the lead, with subtle shadings of sage and mocha adding complexity. It's full-bodied yet silky and suave, with a tight, composed feel on the palate and a lingering finish liberally dusted with soft tannins reminiscent of cocoa powder. While approachable now, it should drink well for more than a decade.
91 points for 2019 Audax in The Wine Advocate
Approximately 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% each Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Audax is impressively dark in the glass, with attractive scents of cassis, mocha and dark chocolate; while it avoids much of the herbal nuance of the 2018, it's a bit simpler, riper and chunkier in feel. No doubt some tasters will thrill to its ripeness, ample weight and sheer bulk—and don't get me wrong, it's a full-bodied, brash Cabernet I'd gladly pair with a grilled T-bone—but it doesn't quite measure up to the balance and near-elegance of the 2018.
91 points for 2018 Audax from James Suckling
James Suckling reviewed the 2018 Audax on January 26, 2022: 91 points: Aromas of ripe blackberries, dark cherries, blackcurrants, dried thyme, vanilla and baking spices. Full-bodied with firm, dense tannins. Rich, ripe and fruity with a creamy texture. Drink from 2023. https://www.jamessuckling.com/tasting-notes/172668/audax-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-2018
2015 Audax rated Excellent by BiggerThanYourHead
Predominantly cabernet, with 4 percent merlot, 3 percent cabernet franc and 1 percent malbec, the Calla Lily Audax Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Napa Valley, aged 27 months in French oak, 50 percent new barrels. The result is a solid, sizable wine with plenty of girth and depth. The color is dark to medium ruby-magenta; the nose displays iodine and mint, iron and graphite that slowly open to notes of spiced and macerated black currants, cherries and plums; on the palate — bastions of dusty, velvety tannins that reach deep and extend in every direction through dark, vibrant acidity and layers of briers, brambles and underbrush; it’s quite dry, yet offers glimmers of juicy black fruit flavors. 14.7 percent alcohol. Production was 268 six-bottle cases. Try from 2023 or ’24 through 2033 to ’35. Very Good+ for now, with Excellent Potential. https://biggerthanyourhead.net/2021/07/the-typical-power-the-occasional-glory-and-the-elusive-elegance-of-napa-valley-cabernet-sauvignon/
Profiled by SyrahQueen on February 20, 2021: “Classic Napa Cabernet done right”
Calla Lily Winery – A Boutique Napa Valley Winery Off The Beaten Path February 20, 2021 When visiting Napa Valley, a trip to Pope Valley is a must. Experience authentic Napa Valley, it is the quieter and less pretentious side of Napa. Pope Valley has risen in stature in recent years, producing prestigious Cabernet Sauvignon’s that are intense and vibrant. One of the newer and more renowned projects in the Pope Valley is Calla Lily Winery. Calla Lily has an elegant portfolio of wines that are produced around the imagery of calla lily, a flower of enormous beauty and refinement. These are the exact qualities that the winery strives to express in its wines. Calla Lily Winery spans 95 acres in Pope Valley, just down the hill from Howell Mountain in the heart of Napa Valley. With the help of Cary Gott, Calla Lily was founded by Anthony Fung and Andy Chui, two Hong Kong-based entrepreneurs. The goal is to produce artisanal, low-production, boutique wines. Calla Lily produces only estate wines, with 20-acres of estate vineyards consisting of Bordeaux varieties. The first vines were planted in 1995 and today there are 12 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 5 acres of Petite
90 points for 2015 Audax in April 2021 Wine Enthusiast
From the producer’s Howell Mountain estate, this wine bursts in juicy red fruit and baking spice. It is a lengthy and full-bodied expression of the grape blended with small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Supple tannins show a lasting intensity.
95 points for 2015 Audax from The Tasting Panel
In the November-December issue of The Tasting Panel Magazine, the 2015 Audax is reviewed: 95 points, 4 ½ kisses: This estate-bottled Cabernet Sauvignon (with small additions of Merlot, Cab Franc and Malbec) is weighty and powerful. Tobacco, slate and espresso manage to arouse both the nose and a palate whose earthiness transitions to plum coated in bittersweet dark chocolate. Venturing from tightly wound to lush, the wine coasts to a velvet-lined finish accented by notes of leather. p. 80, https://www.tastingpanelmag.com/the-tasting-panel-magazine-nov-dec-2020/
Wine Enthusiast awards 91 points to 2013 Audax
91 points: Black and inky, this wine blends in 13% Merlot and a smidgen of Cabernet Franc. Sandalwood, oak and cigar orbit around a soft, rich and round midpalate that is deftly structured and well-integrated in oak and tannin. June 2019 https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/calla-lily-2013-audax-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley/
Wine Enthusiast awards 94 points to 2014 Audax
94 points: Blended with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this wine succeeds in its rich coming-together of plum, lavender and black-currant flavors, the palate densely packed in fruit and tight-grained tannin. Effusively perfumed in oak and cedar, it is nicely integrated and shows great complexity. June 2019 https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/calla-lily-2014-audax-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley/
Owen Bargreen gives the 2015 Audax 94 points
94 points: 2015 Audax Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2015 Audax Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder smaller portions Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot. Aged for 27 months in 50% new French oak, the wine shows gorgeous kirsch tones that combine with creme de cassis, wild herbs and mocha tones that all mingle together in unison. The palate has a seamless texture and wonderful sense of opulence. Layers of dark fruits combine with dark chocolate shavings, thyme and sweet pipe tobacco with loamy terroir. A complete wine, this is simply marvelous now at the five year mark as the 2015 Audax Cabernet Sauvignon will provide drinking enjoyment for many decades to come. Drink 2020-2038. October 2020 http://owenbargreen.com/
2017 Audax receives 90 points from James Suckling
James Suckling reviewed the 2017 Audax: 90 points: A juicy red with currant, light coffee and walnut character. Medium body. Juicy and lightly chewy. Drink or hold. https://www.jamessuckling.com/tasting-notes/136959/audax-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-2017/
2017 Audax receives 90 points from James Suckling
James Suckling reviewed the 2017 Audax: 90 points: A juicy red with currant, light coffee and walnut character. Medium body. Juicy and lightly chewy. Drink or hold. https://www.jamessuckling.com/tasting-notes/136959/audax-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-2017/
2015 Audax scored at 94 points in WashingtonWineBlog
The 2015 Audax Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder smaller portions Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot. Aged for 27 months in 50% new French oak, the wine shows gorgeous kirsch tones that combine with creme de cassis, wild herbs and mocha tones that all mingle together in unison. The palate has a seamless texture and wonderful sense of opulence. Layers of dark fruits combine with dark chocolate shavings, thyme and sweet pipe tobacco with loamy terroir. A complete wine, this is simply marvelous now at the five year mark as the 2015 Audax Cabernet Sauvignon will provide drinking enjoyment for many decades to come. Drink 2020-2038. http://www.washingtonwineblog.com/new-reviews#/california
Tasting Panel awards 2014 Audax 94 points
In The Tasting Panel Magazine, March 2019, p. 52: The grapes for this big red from winemaker Cary Gott come from a 95-acre vineyard planted in 1995 on the eastern side of Howell Mountain. A blend of 89.2% Cabernet Sauvignon with 5.2% Cabernet Franc and 5.6% Merlot, the wine spent 27 months in 50% new French oak. Plum, olives and pea tendrils emerge as the initial scents before the palate dives into powdery tannins and balanced acidity. With a red-fruited elegance, a core of blackberry and vanilla, and a mocha-oak finish, it takes you on a lengthy journey that’s truly multi-dimensional.
2013 Audax receives 95 points from WineReviewOnline
Rich Cook reviews the 2013 Audax at WineReviewOnline on April 2, 2019: 95 points A pleasure to be able to recommend the second vintage of this bottling from winemaker Cary Gott. A heralded vintage in Napa Valley is put on brilliant display here, with layered varietally correct aromas and flavors presented in bold style without going into the overripe zone. It finishes long with depth and good integration of all the elements. The packaging makes this a top-notch gift bottle for the aficionado in your circle, and it comes in on the low side of the price spectrum for a wine of its quality. Well done, two years running! http://winereviewonline.com/wine_reviews.cfm
2013 Audax reviewed by Nittany Epicurean
2013 Audax is reviewed in the February 6, 2019 Nittany Epicurean: AUDAX, meaning “bold” in Latin, is Calla Lily Estate’s barrel-selection reserve wine made as a tribute to the pioneers of Napa Valley, many of whom settled in Pope Valley, by its fourth generation winemaker, Cary Gott. This wine is mostly cabernet sauvignon (86.6%) blended with small amounts of merlot (13.2%) and cabernet franc (0.2%). Following fermentation, the wine was aged for 27 months in French oak barrels (50% new). It comes in at 14.5% ABV. The wine showed a dark ruby color. Black cherry, vanilla, eucalyptus, licorice, raspberry preserves and oak all arrived on the nose. Black cherry, vanilla, eucalyptus, raspberry, licorice, cassis and oak followed on a palate that lead off with the perfect balance of cherry and vanilla. The wine exhibited great structure and length, along with big, chewy tannins. This wine could cellar for 5-6 years. It can also be enjoyed now after decanting paired with a seared dry-aged ribeye. http://nittanyepicurean.blogspot.com/2019/02/2013-audax-napa-valley-cabernet.html
2014 Audax reviewed by California Grapevine
2014 Audax is reviewed in the February 2019 issue of California Grapevine: Medium ruby; attractive, ripe, cassis and blackberry fruit aroma with spicy notes and hints of cedar, dried herbs, and vanilla; full body; forward, rich, ripe, fleshy, dark fruit flavors with undertones of toasty oak, and a full, plush mouthfeel; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Shows good depth and some complexity as it developed with airing, and while enjoyable to taste now, it deserve several more year of bottle aging. Very highly recommended.
2013 and 2014 Audax Reviewed by Winethropology
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 polished, dark, bunker-buster bottles (more than twice the weight of typical 750ml bottles) finished with raised gold lettering and an ancient looking coin emblem, these bottles just look expensive. With that as an introduction, you might expect a viscous, syrupy juice to ease into the glass. Instead, both vintages offered gleaming ruby splashing with confidence. Could the color indicate what was to come in the palate? Both vintages are in possession of unmistakable classic Napa Valley characteristics: prominent nose showcasing the brooding side of cabernet, prodigious fruit, broad shouldered framing from a French oak regimen, and elegant mouth-puckering tannins. Cassis, date, and plum dominate, while suggestions of eucalyptus, vanillin, cedar and dust round out the complex flavor experience. These wines are so clearly siblings, but the 2014 is everything the 2013 is, plus-plus. All the desirable attributes of the 2013 are amplified in the 2014.
Winemaker Cary Gott Interviewed by St. Helena Star
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 of red wines, Calla Lily Estate & Winery in Pope Valley is meeting the demands of the Chinese market by focusing on red wines, particularly Bordeaux varietals. “In China and Hong Kong, customers prefer red wines. They see Napa Valley as an important wine-producing region of these wines after Bordeaux and Australia, among others,” said Calla Lily’s winemaker Cary Gott. Hong Kong-based entrepreneurs Anthony Fung and Andy Chui bought the property formerly known as Cleavage Creek Winery from the Brown family in 2011. Calla Lily produced its first vintage that year and since, it has sent two to three containers of wine per year to China. That leaves only a small percentage of the crop to market in the U.S. “We are now seeing these luscious wines that are elegant and represent the hillside terroir of the Calla Lily Estate vineyard in Pope Valley. Most
2014 Audax receives 93 points from Terroirist
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, plums), but it’s still nice and fresh. Notes of anise, cocoa, earth, mint and cedar. Plush and forward but lively. This could use five to eight years in the cellar, but it’s a lovely wine. 14.7% alcohol. http://www.terroirist.com/2018/12/wine-reviews-california-new-releases-7/#more-27558
2013 Audax receives 93 points from Terroirist
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 plums, the fruit is juicy but really vibrant, and laced with a nice mix of earth, mint, dark chocolate and cedar. Fresh enough to be enjoyed now, but strength for the cellar, surely. http://www.terroirist.com/2018/12/wine-reviews-california-new-releases-7/#more-27558
2015 Audax receives 92-94 points from The Wine Advocate
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 and pencil shavings hints. Full-bodied, rich and lively in the mouth, it has a firm backbone and a long finish with layers of herbs and spices. https://www.robertparker.com/wines/nSaXfsx8wL6JRy5rX
Winethropology tastes the 2014 Ultimate Pinot Noir
Lovely, statuesque, and well-made. A Napa Valley body wrapped in Burgundian structure. April 2019, http://www.winethropology.com/2019/04/speed-dating-notes-from-trade-tasting.html
Winemaker Cary Gott Interviewed by St. Helena Star
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 of red wines, Calla Lily Estate & Winery in Pope Valley is meeting the demands of the Chinese market by focusing on red wines, particularly Bordeaux varietals. “In China and Hong Kong, customers prefer red wines. They see Napa Valley as an important wine-producing region of these wines after Bordeaux and Australia, among others,” said Calla Lily’s winemaker Cary Gott. Hong Kong-based entrepreneurs Anthony Fung and Andy Chui bought the property formerly known as Cleavage Creek Winery from the Brown family in 2011. Calla Lily produced its first vintage that year and since, it has sent two to three containers of wine per year to China. That leaves only a small percentage of the crop to market in the U.S. “We are now seeing these luscious wines that are elegant and represent the hillside terroir of the Calla Lily Estate vineyard in Pope Valley. Most
2014 Ultimate Pinot Noir receives 91 points from James Suckling
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. https://www.jamessuckling.com/wine-tasting-reports/napa-valley-dials-balance-hot-2015-vintage-2014-makes-easy/
