The Wine
Our Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from vineyards in Rutherford and St. Helena, and make up the foundation of Les Sommets. The Rutherford area is sited on soils from three alluvial fans that are primarily gravelly, sandy, and loamy, and brings the classic “Rutherford Dust” flavor to the wine. The St. Helena vineyard is sited on sedimentary, gravel-clay soil that is also ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon. We used a combination of clones 4 and 337. Our Petit Verdot is also grown in St. Helena, where the warmer, up-valley climate allows the varietal to reach full maturity. We actively engage in canopy management to encourage even growth and drop fruit 3-4 times through season to concentrate flavors. Our grapes were hand- harvested at night and packed in small bins to minimize damage to the fruit. We yielded an average of 4 tons of fruit per acre.
Once harvested our grapes were destemmed, hand-sorted, and lightly crushed into temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Each lot was vinified separately in order to preserve varietal characteristics. After an eighteen to twenty-four day fermentation and maceration with remontage, the free run wine was pumped off the tank and into barrels. The remaining skins and solids were gently pressed to extract the press wine, which was stored in separate barrels. Each lot was aged separately for twenty to twenty-four months in 100% new French oak. We used a combination of medium and medium-plus toast barrels from Taransaud, Francois Fréres, and Dargaud & Jaeglé. The wine was then blended in neutral tanks to allow flavors to integrate prior to bottling.
The Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec
Tasting Notes
This wine exhibits a dark garnet color with lively blue-pink edges. The wine has a perfumed nose of violets, blackberries, and blueberries underscored by elegant minerality, toast, and cedar. The wine is deftly balanced, with medium body, fine velvety tannins, and a complex lingering finish.
Rating
- 2017：Wine Enthusiast 93
- 2016：Wine Enthusiast 94
- 2015：Wine Enthusiast 93
- 2014：Wine Enthusiast 91
- 2013：Wine Enthusiast 92 / James Suckling 92
- 2012：Wine Enthusiast 93 (Cellar Selection)
- 2011：Wine Enthusiast 88
- 2010：Wine Enthusiast 91 / James Suckling 93 / Vinous 90
- 2009：Wine Enthusiast 93
For the Trade
Thank you for your interest in Les Belles Collines. If you do not find what you are looking for below, please contact us at info@lesbellescollines.com.
2017
Wine Enthusiast 93
Sumptuous layers of mocha, blackberry and black cherry wrap around tight-grained tannins and oak. The freshness on the back of the palate helps keep the wine crisp and focused against the powerful ripeness.
2016
Wine Enthusiast 94
Blended with 12% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, this lovely wine was aged 20 months in 75% new French oak. Cedar, pencil lead, clove and dark chocolate accent a powerful core of cassis, with a frame of focused acidity and polished tannins.
2015
Wine Enthusiast 93
Plush, lush and brightly encased in rich red fruit, this bold, full-bodied wine includes 10% Merlot and trace amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Integrated oak and powerful tannic weight lend balance to the strucutred frame.
2014
Wine Enthusiast 91
Woody pencil shavings and dried herb combine on the nose and palate in this Cabernet that’s blended with 8% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec. Succulent red currant and cassis come to life on the midpalate, with a tannic backbone that emphasizes final touches of black pepper and clove.
2013
Wine Enthusiast 92
Softened by 10% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot, this is a medium-bodied, elegant wine, with highlights of coffee, cedar and cherry-vanilla. Classic elements of cedar and dried herb complement firm, solid tannin.
2012
Wine Enthusiast 93 (Cellar Selection)
Given slightly less new oak (60%) than the producer’s Les Sommets bottling, this is an equally rewarding wine, blended with 12% Merlot. Red fruit dominates atop a soft grip of leather, pencil lead and cedar. The considerable density of the tannins and overall firm texture suggest this will benefit from further aging; drink 2018–2022.
2011
Wine Enthusiast 88
This substantially juicy Cabernet is classic in notes of black currant, cranberry and herb. It’s sturdy on the palate without becoming overbearing or overweight, finishing balanced and with ample finesse.
2010
Wine Enthusiast 91
Ripe cherry, blackberry and new oak flavors mark this gorgeous Cabernet. The tannins are strong but refined. Blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it’s a luxurious, elegant wine for drinking now and over the next eight years.
2009
Wine Enthusiast 93
Made in the modern style of soit, sweet opulence, this its insanely rich, with notes of cherry marmalade, red currant, milk chocolate and sweet cedar flavors that continue onto the long, smooth finish. It’s a blend of the traditional red Bordeaux varieties. and while it was aged in 1oo% new French oak, it’s not too oaky. Drink over the next six years for its youthful beauty.
