2016 Madrigal Family Winery – Sonnet #63
The Winery
Located in Napa Valley at 3718 N. St. Helena Hwy is both the tasting room and winery. A long history stemming back to Jacinto Madrigal who came from Mexico to Napa Valley in 1938. His son, Jess, started winegrowing and a vineyard management business, now taking care of 800 acres of special vines in the valley.
Photo from Madrigal Facebook site
Jacinto’s grandson, Chris Madrigal founded the Family Winery in 1995. Looking at their website, they currently produce Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and a couple of red blends.
The Wine
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This came up on the “To Drink List for 2023” last evening. No idea how it got in the cellar or who brought us the wine, but a big hearty thank you is order!! Maybe Elizabeth Smith?? Opened the wine with no expectation.
The wine and William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 63 are linked in many ways. The wine speaks of “fair youth” a young man (maybe himself) and that he cares so passionately for, is going to get older and lose his beauty. While not wanting to forget his youthful love, he can only immortalize it in his sonnet so as not to forget. This wine is similar, being “young and beautiful”.
The wine was one of those surprise wines you have no idea about, but you open it and you get what you get. We got a lovely and beautiful wine. First it is a “Bordeaux style” wine made up of the classic varietals: 49.8% Cabernet Sauvignon (40.4% Clone 19 and 9.5% Clone 337), 30.7% Cabernet Franc, 14.3% Merlot, 2.9% Petit Verdot and 2.3% Malbec. It was aged 23 months in French oak and only 112 cases were produced. For 2016 only 112 cases were produced. Today’s release is the 2017 and is listed for $105/bottle.
First on the eyes, it was a much deeper color than a typical “Meritage” blend and medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose elegant floral blackberries greet the senses. On the palate, a slight vanilla pipe tobacco, coupled with mocha and blackberries swirl about in the mouth providing an opulent, round and mouth filling sensation. On the finish is a noticeable lack of tannins, providing a silky smooth and velvety conclusion, sip after sip.
Food and Wine Pairing
This was an after dinner wine, so no food pairing. Thus when looking at “what to drink” I thought the category of “Meritage” would be a soft and round wine to enjoy. This wine blew away our expectations with extremely soft edges, but with intense and layered flavoring.
A visit is definitely in order to find out more about the winemaker, the winery and their wines!
Sláinte,
Michael
July 11, 2023 at 9:13 pm
Michael, what a nice review of our Sonnet #63. We would love to have you for a visit to taste our wines and experience one of the few remaining small farming family wineries in Napa Valley. We look forward to you reaching out.