Minimal-intervention mountain Cabernet from a Napa pioneer.
“This winery has been consistently excellent throughout my tastings in Napa going back many, many years. They have also kept a lid on pricing, which remains realistic and consumer-friendly.” – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, December 2016
In 1984, Ontario’s wine scene looked a whole lot different than it does today. Most of the exciting wines that we take for granted were simply not available. When Miriam Rogers founded Rogers & Company that year, her goal was to fill that gap. From the beginning, we’ve sought out the new classics, the cults, the upstarts, and the lesser-known sub-AVAs that make Napa Valley special. With that in mind, we are pleased to announce that Robert Craig Winery has joined the portfolio.
The first thing to know about Robert Craig Winery: it’s all about mountain fruit. Since he started farming Howell Mountain over 30 year ago, Bob Craig has celebrated the great mountain appellations of Napa Valley in everything he does. (In fact, he went on to found the Spring Mountain and Mount Veeder AVA’s.) From the start, Craig has made wines with minimal intervention. These vineyards have real identities. They have a lot to say. Why hide? Mountain sites yield low volumes of tiny, concentrated, highly-prized fruit, and the wines are distinguished by intense varietal character, gorgeous bouquet, and deep fruit flavours. They can be balanced, integrated, and lush upon release, with the chops for long-term ageing.
Rogers & Company has worked with some of the top names in Napa Valley since 1984. With that sense of perspective, we’re confident to say: there’s serious value to be found in Robert Craig’s wines.
We’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of these wines in November 2017. You can stake a claim now – these wines will be snapped up quickly.
If you’re new to Rogers & Company: Welcome! Wines are sold in unmixed cases of 12, 6, or 3, depending on the item. Delivery is easy: we can bring the wine to your door, or you can stop by our office to pick up and meet the crew and the company dog. To place an order, follow the links to our website, give Chris McLean a call at 647-955-8872, or send him an email at c.mclean@rogcowines.com.
Robert Craig
“Affinity” Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
$118.95 per bottle, cases of 6
Affinity is a 100% estate-grown, single-vineyard bottling from the La Londe vineyard. This is an estate-owned and -farmed vineyard in the Mt. George foothills just south of Stag’s Leap District. The vines here are 30 years old and bear only 2.8 tons per acre. The stony, low-yielding site costs almost twice as much to farm as the easy, fertile land on the valley floor. This is intense benchland fruit with a palate driven by the volcanic soil.
2014 was a fabulous vintage in Napa Valley, long and moderately warm. The 2014 Affinity has tremendous density, depth, and concentration, with opulent black raspberry and blackcurrant flavours and aromas of licorice, incense, and spice box.
“Aromas of ripe fruit, walnuts and dark chocolate with some cloves. Full body, chewy tannins and a extracted finish. Lots of phenolic character. A little old school in style this year, but it shows promise. Better in 2020.” – 93 points, JamesSuckling.com, January 2017
“80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and the rest Petite Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Delicious black raspberry and blackcurrant fruit, some spice box, licorice and incense are all present in this supple-textured, medium to full-bodied, opulent wine, which is sexy, lush and ideal for drinking over the next decade or more. The colour is a healthy dense purple, and the wine full-bodied and textured, with a beautiful finish and real harmony. Drink it over the next decade.” – 92 points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, December 2016
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Robert Craig
Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
$149.95 per bottle, cases of 6
In 1990, Robert Craig consulted on the development of late actor Robin Williams’ Pym Rae vineyard. It is an exceptional site, one of the highest on Mount Veeder, with distinctive blue shale subsoil and shallow, sandstone topsoil. The mature vines here have driven their roots deep in search of nutrients, and you can feel that minerality in the wine.
The 2014 is the second-last vintage that will be produced in this vineyard. The Tesseron family of Château Pontet-Canet are now proprietors, and they will not be selling the fruit. There must be something magical in that soil!
It’s undeniable: the 2014 is a huge wine. Masses of dark blue fruit, lavish oak, rich tannins, lots of palate weight and power. It is long and intense and straight-up killer value! It is one of the best buys you’ll find for this kind of pedigree and intensity. (And look at that vineyard!)
“The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder comes from a vineyard once owned by the late Robin Williams called Pym Rae (now owned by the Tesseron family from Bordeaux) that sits at an elevation of 1,800 feet. Blueberry, blackberry and cassis are all present in this full-bodied wine that displays the high-elevation bluer fruits that Mt. Veeder can provide. There is a floweriness and full-bodied richness, big extract, but great balance and no rusticity. This beauty should drink well for at least 25-30 years. 2016-2046.” – 95 points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, December 2016
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Robert Craig
Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
$156.95 per bottle, cases of 6
The winery owns and farms two vineyards on Howell Mountain: the 30-year-old estate vineyard at 700 metres above sea level, and the famed Candlestick Ridge vineyard at 680 metres (acquired in 2015). The estate vineyard is composed of red volcanic and tufa limestone soils, which give this fruit a wild brambly, spicy, mineral-driven character. Candlestick Ridge is pure white volcanic ash and tufa limestone. Situated on the north end of the Howell Mountain summit cap, this 26 acre vineyard rests on a plateau overlooking the southeast face of Mount St Helena and the whole of Pope Valley. It was first planted in 1950, then replanted in 1998 by Duckhorn Wine Company. The lean, well-drained soils grow dense, dark, intensely-flavoured berries.
This wine showcases loads of mountain berries, black currant, and a dusty earthiness on the nose. The palate is flooded with black cherry, blackberry, black plum, cocoa, and mocha. It is a chewy powerhouse of a wine.
“The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain comes from an elevation of nearly 2,300 feet, from a vineyard planted in red volcanic, rocky soils. Rich, full-bodied, and possibly the star of an impressive line-up of wines, this is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot. Strikingly rich, opaque purple in colour, with mulberry, boysenberry, blackberry, graphite and flowers, the wine is rich, chewy, full-bodied, multi-layered, and just a sensational example of Howell Mountain. This is 25- to 30-year wine, although there’s no harm in drinking it sooner. 2016-2046.” – 95 points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, December 2016
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