We were lucky enough to experience a tasting at Colgin Cellars - whose 4000 case production is some of the most sought after in the world.
The History
Ann Colgin founded Colgin Cellars in 1992 after discovering her passion for wine during her time in London while working in the art auction world. Originally from Texas, Colgin’s background in art and fine wine significantly influenced her approach to winemaking, emphasizing craftsmanship, balance, and elegance. Colgin’s first wine was made from the Herb Lamb Vineyard, quickly establishing her brand as a premier producer of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Over time, Colgin expanded her portfolio with wines from historic and newly developed vineyard sites like Tychson Hill and IX Estate, the latter becoming the heart of her operation. In 2017, Colgin Cellars partnered with luxury conglomerate LVMH, positioning the brand among an elite group of international estates. Known for her meticulous attention to detail and commitment to excellence, Colgin has crafted wines that consistently achieve cult status and high critical acclaim, regularly garnering 100 point scores from critics. Her journey from the art world to becoming one of Napa Valley’s most respected vintners is a testament to her vision and dedication to both tradition and innovation.
The Estate
Perched atop Pritchard Hill overlooking Lake Hennessey, the stunning estate combines luxury with an intimate connection to the land. The Estate is nestled in the IX Vineyard, renowned not only for its breathtaking views but also for producing some of Napa’s rarest wines. Inside, guests encounter a beautifully designed home that gives a feeling of intimacy and beauty that mirror the estate’s elegance while still maintaining a personal, hands-on approach to winemaking.
The state-of-the-art wine production facility is attached to the estate and is integrated into the building and hillside. It offers a seamless blend of natural beauty and cutting-edge technology - pictures of their production building are limited for privacy.
Tasting the Colgin Cellars 2021 Vintage
The 2021 growing season in Napa Valley was marked by favorable weather that produced a vintage celebrated for its concentration and depth. A dry winter led to early water stress, which helped limit vine growth and resulted in smaller, intensely flavored berries. The summer was largely moderate with only one significant heat event, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. The reduced rainfall and controlled stress on the vines created an ideal environment for developing nuanced flavors and deep color.
The overall consistency in temperatures, combined with a smooth harvest season, allowed winemakers to pick fruit at optimal ripeness. The wines from this vintage stand out for their balanced structure, vibrant acidity, and exceptional aromatic intensity, with flavors expected to be more concentrated and age-worthy
The Wines
The tasting experience focuses on one of each of their small production wines crafted from meticulously managed hillside vineyards. Colgin Cellars crafts three iconic wines (not including their tiny Syrah production), each showcasing distinct vineyard sites and characteristics.
Tychson Hill
Colgin's Tychson Hill vineyard is located just north of St. Helena in Napa Valley, on a historic site first planted in the late 19th century. The six-acre vineyard sits at an elevation of 300 to 422 feet and is characterized by well-drained soils composed of weathered volcanic rock, red stones, and obsidian. This unique terroir, coupled with its gentle slopes, fosters the production of elegant Cabernet Sauvignon with a refined structure and complex aromatics, often noted for their floral and red fruit characteristics.
2021 Tychson Hill Tasting Notes: An expressive nose of cherry, blackberry, anise, and tobacco, with subtle floral hints of lavender. On the palate, vibrant cherry and raspberry flavors are complemented by a medium-bodied, lacy structure, with fine tannins and a graceful, lingering finish. A surprisingly light wine for a young Napa Cab - reminiscent of many great Bordeauxs.
Cariad
The Cariad vineyard is located on the western hillsides near St. Helena in Napa Valley. The site is known for its steep, rocky slopes with volcanic soils mixed with gravelly alluvium, which contribute to the wine’s earthy complexity and structure. The challenging terrain and well-drained soils result in concentrated fruit with deep flavors and firm tannins. Cariad, a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, showcases rich dark fruit, herbal notes, and a distinctive minerality that reflects the rugged character of its hillside origins
2021 Cariad Tasting Notes: A nose rich with dark fruit notes of blueberry and blackcurrant, accented by herbal hints of sage. On the palate, those dark fruits persist, joined by savory tobacco and other herbal flavors like Eucalyptus. The wine has smooth, silky tannins are much heavier than those of Tychson Hill, but add a velvety texture with a much fuller body.
IX Estate
The flagship IX Estate vineyard is located on the steep slopes of Pritchard Hill. Sitting at an elevation of 1,100 to 1,400 feet, the site benefits from well-drained, rocky soils composed of reddish clays and weathered igneous rock. These challenging conditions and high elevation contribute to the vineyard’s powerful, complex wines, known for their dark fruit flavors, herbal notes, and distinct minerality. The site’s exposure and terroir produce robust, Bordeaux blend wines with refined structure and great aging potential
2021 IX Estate Tasting Notes: It was immediately apparent that this was the biggest of the three wines. A bold nose of blackberry, black cherry, leather, and lavender. These flavors carry through on the palate, enhanced by a hint of baking spice that adds depth, while robust, well-integrated tannins provide a classic Napa structure. The wine is both powerful and elegant, with smooth but strong tannins balancing its intensity.
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