If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again. According to some sources, that now-common advice was first given by Robert the Bruce, king of Scotland, in the 1300s to his men going into battle. Other sources trace it back to a mid-1800s teacher’s manual. Regardless of who first said it, the American wine industry has embraced the sentiment since colonial times, especially after Phylloxera left most of its vineyards, including those in California wine country, a blank canvas in the mid-1800s. AXR in Napa is named after AxR rootstock (Aramond x Rupestris) which helped build the California wine industry but got wiped out when Phylloxera hit.
If the California wine industry hadn’t tried again after Phylloxera, we wouldn’t have fantastic wines like the 2019 AXR Proprietary Red Napa Valley. This95-point red blendfrom Napa’s excellent 2019 vintage "tastes as if it costs 3 times the price," according to Jeb Dunnuck. (And dare we say that at our special price, it’s more likely that it tastes like it costs 4 times the price!).
Its price is only part of the draw. The AXR estate is cut from the sameSt. Helena cloth as Alpha Omega, which resides just 3 miles up Highway 29 from AXR. Ehlers Estate is just across the road. AXR’s winemaker Jean Hoefliger trained with Michel Rolland and takes centuries-honed knowledge he learned in Bordeaux at Chateau Carbonnieux and Chateau Lynch-Bages. He brings all that Grand Cru Classé skill and knowledge to the California fruit of this Napa Red.
A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, this wine has full depth from the start. It’s ready to drink now, but it’s alsoable to age for the next decade.
James Suckling bestowed 95 points on this “aromatic red.” In addition to his exclamation about its amazing value,Dunnuck gave it 93 points. The aromatics include cedar, rosemary, violet, roses, and dark fruits like blackberries and blueberries. It’s soft on the palate with jammy fruits and fine tannins.
We have this California Cab that drinks way above its regular price and way, way above BHW’s price - just $42.95. That’s almost 35% off this red blend that’s sure to be one of your favorites.
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