Ashes & Diamonds Napa Valley Saffron Mountain Cuvée No.3 2018

Ashes & Diamonds Napa Valley Saffron Mountain Cuvée No.3 is a Mount Veeder blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

The Saffron Vineyard sits among redwoods at 457 metres on Mount Veeder, above the fog inversion line, where daytime temperatures can run ten degrees below the valley floor. Lisa Chu owns and farms it organically, a change Kashy Khaledi pushed for by persuading her to raise prices for all her customers, himself included, so the work could be paid for; soil health and fruit quality improved quickly. Bordeaux varieties went in during 2000, rooting into thin soils of uplifted marine sediment and fractured shale. Merlot leads the blend at fifty-nine per cent. A cold soak preceded native fermentation, then nineteen months in French oak, thirty per cent new.

More outgoing than its single-vineyard stablemates, with dark berry fruit, mountain herb and a firm, fine-grained structure, the mountain's natural power given a silken edge by Diana Snowden-Seysses's choice of blend. Decant and serve at 17 degrees. Good with venison, braised beef, or a mushroom ragù.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.