Sequoia Grove Winery is located in the Rutherford Bench of Napa Valley and produces some fine Cabernet Sauvignon indicative of this AVA (American Viticultural Area). Rutherford Bench is an area defined by the distinct flavor characteristics it breeds in Cabernet Sauvignon. Sequoia Grove's winemaker Michael Trujillo has imparted a standard philosophy into his craft, to make balanced wines that are elegant, and age worthy. Trujillo’s beliefs for oak aging be it American or French oak, are seen solely as instruments for wine development and wine evolution rather than a mechanism for flavor. Sequoia Grove wines are Bordeaux-style showing true varietal expression of structure, and balance with a New World, California approach. Cambium ($140) is the pièce de résistance of the Sequoia Grove portfolio and Michael Trujillo’s baby. The wine is exquisite, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Cambium is a limited-production wine blended from the finest lots, barrel-aged for two years, and bottle-aged for an additional two years before its release. With all the attention paid to wine making and ageing detail, this wine shows off its Bordeaux best with California inspiration and vision.
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Chimney Rock winemaker Elizabeth Vianna has the whole package tied up nicely; she is the talent behind the winemaking, a passionate ambassador of her brand, and an overall wine devotee. Vianna seems to have a natural affinity for Bordeaux wine; she makes new world wine in old world style that apparently comes second nature to her. Taste any of her wines, red or white and the Bordeaux benchmark she holds herself to is apparent. It's always exciting to discover a new wine and when it hits all the benchmarks of quality, it's all the more alluring. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris, very Graves in style. Graves, [France] is subregion in Bordeaux known for its gravelly soil. Elevage Blanc is very well made and balanced, bright and citrus-y yet round and lush. Vianna has crafted quite an intriguing proprietary blend with the Elevage Blanc; a characteristically Bordeaux style wine with unmatched California savoir-faire.