I attended graduate school in San Diego from 2003-2007. As part of my wine education, I looked for wines that overdelivered for the value. I fondly recall Cuvaison Chardonnay more than fifteen years back that was just superb for the price. In 2004 I was able to visit this gorgeous property with sweeping views of the valley, set in the Carneros region. The site has a very strong wind and maritime influence, and sitting there I was struck by the calm and remoteness of the location.
It was 1969 when this special location was chosen to craft cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Ten years later 400 acres of highly prized land was purchased north of San Pablo Bay in the Los Carneros district of Napa Valley were the winery current stands. Since 200 winemaker Steve Rogstad has been at the helm. I had the great chance to interview him several months back as we talked about his beautiful single vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. He has now been making sparking wine for several years and I loved his 2017 Cuvaison Rose Sparking Wine (OB, 91) which is fresh and linear with bright red fruits. Even better is the gorgeous 2018 Cuvaison ‘Spire’ Pinot Noir (OB, 92) which has amazing range and a great veil of tension, with a soft texture. Learn more about this outstanding Carneros estate at cuvaison.com Here are the fantastic new release wines by Cuvaison.
2017 Cuvaison Rose Sparkling Wine- A pale, pretty pink, this shows off white flowers with green apple and strawberry aromatically that all take shape in the glass. The verve and delicate mousse as well as stringency really hold things together, as green apple and delicate red fruits collide with minerals on the palate. This would be marvelous with fresh Kusshi oysters. Drink 2021-2027- 91
2019 Cuvaison ‘En Cigare’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2019 ‘En Cigare’ Sauvignon Blanc shows rich baking spices with marzipan and Marcona almond tones on the nose. The palate is rich and fat on the mouth, giving off a wonderfully rich texture. Layers of beeswax and melon fruits mingle with citrus blossom accents on the palate. Great now, this will provide drinking enjoyment for five plus years. Drink 2020-2025- 91
2018 Cuvaison ‘Spire’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 ‘Spire’ Pinot Noir is a silky new bottling from Carneros. Aged for sixteen months in 50% new French oak, this takes on a lovely richness mid-palate. Bright red fruits collide with shades of Mandarin orange zest, bergamot, damp earth and black tea tones on the palate. This has terrific freshness and a long finish that rounds out this excellent new bottling. Enjoy the 2018 ‘Spire’ over the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 92