Colgin, Cariad, Napa Valley

Colgin Cellars, Ann Colgin's Napa winery (majority-owned by LVMH since 2017), makes four wines from hillside sites. Tychson Hill, about 6 acres of heritage-clone Cabernet Sauvignon on a cool bench north of St. Helena, shows red fruit and floral notes; the 2000 was called ethereal. Cariad, a Cabernet-led blend with Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot from leased vines at David Abreu's Madrona Ranch on volcanic soils west of St. Helena, is opulent yet structured, with violet and gravelly minerality. IX Estate, an east-facing Pritchard Hill vineyard at 1,100–1,400 feet on iron-rich soils, yields a dense, chalky-tannined Cabernet blend and a peppery, meaty Syrah from 4 acres planted with Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage cuttings.

Region

Napa Valley, California

Owner

Ann Colgin; LVMH holds 60% since 2017

Vineyards

Tychson Hill (about 6 acres), IX Estate on Pritchard Hill (20 planted acres), Cariad (leased, Madrona Ranch)

Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Syrah

Wines

Tychson Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Cariad, IX Estate Red, IX Estate Syrah

Style

Perfume, freshness and minerality from hillside sites

Sources: Wikipedia, napawineproject.com