Oakville. To Kalon Vineyard. Mondavi. Beckstoffer. MacDonald. Detert. These are all buzz words for Napa Valley wine aficionados, especially those who worship the famous To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville. But still, not everyone knows the name DETERT. But you absolutely should.
Tom Garrett, his brother John, and their cousin Bob are the stewards of the Detert Family Vineyard, a property their grandparents bought in the 1950’s. The prized land is part of three parcels owned by Hamilton Walker Crabb known as the original To Kalon Vineyard purchased in 1868, 1881 and 1891. The Detert Vineyard is home to what are the oldest plantings of Cabernet Franc in the Napa Valley. Their corner of Oakville is flanked by illustrious names like Far Niente, Harlan and Beckstoffer To Kalon, and for decades the family has sold their Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc to their neighbors, the Mondavis, for the Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Franc was so impressive to Bob Mondavi and played such an important role in his iconic blend that in the 1960’s, he paid the Detert’s Cabernet Sauvignon prices for the cherished clusters of Cabernet Franc to ensure he was able to retain the fruit vintage after vintage. In 2000, an historical family event occurred where Tom left his day job as winemaker at Revana to start making wine for the family labeled Detert Family Vineyards. His day job as the winemaker at Revana Family Vineyards helped nurture and hone his skilled, enological acumen, but Tom moved on to work full time with the family project.
Only 140 cases produced. 100% Oakville Cabernet Franc. 40 year-old Cabernet Franc vines (oldest in Napa Valley). Part of the original To Kalon Vineyard. Intoxicating aromas of cassis, bittersweet cocoa, licorice, black currant, lavender and espresso. Rich and palate coating with layers of dark fruits, herbs, minerality, dark chocolate and complex earthy notes. Absolutely delicious with a remarkable combination of pure flavors, silky texture and a brooding density as well as energy and freshness. This is classic East Block sophistication and framework, balancing fruit and savory characteristics. These superb wines are made with minimal intervention in miniscule quantities, resulting as one of the purest expressions of the variety we have ever experienced. This wine is phenomenal; deeply concentrated and meticulously crafted from a small block nestled deep within the coveted western bench-land of the Mayacamas Mountains in the heart of the Oakville appellation. This ELITE wine is gorgeous now but even better after a few hours in a decanter or a few years in the cellar. Lay it down for a decade or decant and dive in!
