Sincerely a “rising-star” vineyard site of Napa Valley, Sleeping Lady is owned by Chris’ longtime friend Larry Bettinelli. They’ve spent copious amounts of time learning about how this vineyard should be planted, farmed, specifically detailing its row orientation, trellising, and clonal selection with the intent of producing a herculean wine. Sleeping Lady has seen the pinnacle of Napa’s blue-blood customers: Philippe Melka, Benoit Touquette, Alpha Omega, Roam, Zeitgeist and Kinsman Eades and in my humble opinion, the Phelps family has just made Cabernet history! 

Fresh blackberry, black tea, ripe plum, all at a high level of intensity. The fruit is tight and compact with perfect ripeness indicating great farming and meticulous viticulture. Tannins are grippy and firm yet a little sweet which frames the wine nicely. Finish is super long with a persistent acidity: like the waves crashing and falling back out to sea. Slight smells of green tobacco leaf / chocolate covered blueberries / undertones of damp earth, and EVEN without the addition of Cab Franc or Merlot!  Impressive.  

Made from 55% of Clone 191 and 45% of Clone 7 – this is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and 100% worthy of a vertical collection, hence why we’re offering these 3 vintages. (’16, ’17, ’18). French clones of Cabernet can ripen too quickly causing them to be overripe or accidentally picked to late. The clone 191 is a Bordeaux clone and perfectly situated for Yountville’s climate which is heavily affected by the cold San Pablo Bay. Beneath your feet as stand at Sleeping Lady is a rare soil called Keefer – not common to Napa’s terroir – composed of gravelly clay-loam and dates to an original soil survey in 1938 that Chris has. Overall my friends…DO NOT MISS!  

Closure: Natural Cork