Gagnon-Kennedy Napa Valley Cuvee 2021

A big part of what we do here at Cree Wine Co is seeking out new and upcoming wines, winemakers, and wineries before the press scores them high and demand from and Somms and wine collectors latch on. Before you know if the wines are hard to get, and the prices go through the roof! This one is one of those wines - but the talent behind isn't new at all. It is a collaboration between Michael Kennedy, founder of Fraiche Wine Group, and Marc Gagnon, one of Napa's top winemakers. His resume includes winemaking positions at Rutherford’s Round Pond Estate and New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay Craggy Range Winery, working alongside some of the world’s greatest winemakers including Michel Rolland, Thomas Rivers Brown, Nick Gislason and Andy Erickson. He was assistant winemaker at Screaming Eagle, and winemaker at Bryant Family. Not bad! Of course I didn't know all this when I tasted this beautifully crafted, elegant, supple, silky and delicious wine, but when I found out the pedigree of its creator, it all made sense! In short I was simply blown away by the quality here - its layered, nuanced style and purity of fruit is amazing. It's a blend of historic Napa vineyards located in Oakville, Rutherford, Calistoga & Coombsville that is plush and round, with notes of cassis, blackberry and dusty red fruits, hints of mocha, espresso, and nicely integrated oak (60% new French barrels) all make this something truly special. Open an hour in advance or decant to enjoy now, cellar it for up to a decade.