One of the great talents of Napa, Aaron Pott built an illustrious winemaking resume as he took his studies at University of California, Davis, across the pond to Bordeaux, serving as winemaker at famed Right Bank house Château Troplong Mondot and later director of Château La Tour Figeac. Pott wanted to return to the Napa Valley and make world class Cabernet Sauvignon there, and served as Beringer’s “flying winemaker” making wine in France, Italy and Chile, later taking over as winemaker at St. Clement in 2001. Aaron then was honored to become winemaker at famed property Quintessa in 2004 which was the same year that he brilliantly purchased a 200 acre (5 acres planted) property on Mt. Veeder and began to develop their own vineyards. 2007 marked the birth of Pott Wines and as the first vintage of Incubo was created. The rest has been history as critics across the globe has lauded these beautiful wines.
I loved these new wines, just as I did last year. First off, the 2020 Pott Wines ‘Twenty Meters’ Viognier (OB, 93) is serious, beautifully-textured Napa Viognier. I am totally enamored by the dense, yet very well-structured 2019 Pott Wines ‘Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 98) which is named for the Bond film and is pure Cabernet class in a glass. Learn more about these beautiful wines at https://www.pottwine.com/ Here are my tasting notes for the new Pott Wines.
2020 Pott Wines ‘20M3’ Viognier- Sourced from their estate vineyard set on sandstone, the ‘Twenty Meters 3’ Viognier was stored in Italian terra cotta amphorae prior to bottling. The soft and inviting mouthfeel really entices, as honeysuckle, white peach and shades of wet stone all combine brilliantly — all leading to an exceedingly long finish. The weight and bright acidity suggests there is some great aging potential. Drink 2022-2028- 93
2019 Pott Wines ‘Space and Time’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Space and Time’ by Aaron Pott combines Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, unveiling red rose petals and garrigue notes alongside bright red currants, mocha and tar tones. The palate is soft and ripe with silky tannins that line a core of tobacco leaf, blackberry cobbler and espresso bean, with chocolate covered Bing cherry. Finishing long, this highly refined red blend has both the weight and balance to cellar well over the next two decades. Drink 2022-2040- 95
2019 Pott Wine ‘Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This beautiful wine was sourced from the famed Stagecoach Vineyard high atop Pritchard Hill and set at roughly 1400 feet. This Weimer clone Cabernet Sauvignon was stored in Sylvain, Taransaud and Bossuet barrels prior to bottling. This revels in its creme de cassis, Turkish coffee and dark floral aromatics that bring you back to the glass for more enjoyment. The palate is dense and heady with beautifully refined tannins that frame a massive core of black and blue fruits, with loamy soils and graphite accents. Enjoy this scintillating new wine over the next twenty years. Drink 2022-2042- 98
2019 Pott Wines ‘Kaliholmanok’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Stunning and massive yet showing outstanding poise, the 2019 ‘Kaliholmanok’ Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from Spring Mountain. Anise and creme de violette tones mark the nose alongside rich black cherry cordial and loamy soil accents. Upon entry the soft tannins entice and frame ripe dark currants, roasted dates, creosote, creme de cassis and Arabica bean flavors. Finishing very long, this intense yet finesse-driven effort will be sure to entice over the next twenty plus years. Drink 2022-2042- 97
2019 Pott Wines ‘Incubo’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 ‘Incubo’ was sourced from Aaron Pott’s estate vineyard on Mt. Veeder which is set on weathered sandstone and shale. Just a dollop of Cabernet Franc (2%) is added to this wine, which is displaying a dizzying array of aromatics once in the glass. Asian spices march on with black currants, ripe figs and shades of milk chocolate all meld in the glass. The palate is fresh and viscous with serious terroir. Finishing very long this is a sensational, one of a kind, effort that shows the stony and silty undertones of the soils, but comes off very viscous and at the same time light on its feet. Drink 2022-2042- 98