New Era Program – 2020 I de V

There are five primary red grape varieties in Bordeaux, France and those same varieties thrive in the vineyards of Napa Valley.  They include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.  Whitehall Lane Winery has all five of these grape varieties planted in their six Napa Valley vineyards. 

Whitehall Lane’s New Era program was born with the 2014 vintage when winemaker Jason Moulton tasted through each barrel lot of wine aging in the cellar. He was amazed at the uniqueness of some of the lots and the expression of “terroir” they possessed. And as all great winemakers (and mad scientists) do, he began blending the lots in his laboratory. “What do you think of this blend and what do you think of that blend,” he asked winery owner Tom Leonardini. They were outstanding.  But when pushed, he did not share the blends, only a hint: “This one is one of the five Bordeaux varietals and that one is two of the five.” He wouldn’t even share which vineyards were used to make the wines. Tom loved the idea of making a wine and not revealing which variety or the vineyard used and created I de V, II de V and maybe even V de V. You get the idea.

Whitehall Lane and Jason Moulton are making a statement with single barrel offerings of New Era wine. Befitting the uniqueness of the wine, each bottle is numbered, and hand embossed parchment labels are applied. The bottles are sealed with a long cork, topped with a wax dollop, wrapped in tissue and packaged in single bottle or three-bottle boxes. That much we can tell you. What is unknown (except to Tom and Jason) is what is in the bottle.

Winemaker: Jason Moulton 

Appellation: Napa Valley 

Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon 

Cost: $225 | Club: $191.25 

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