Cellar Estates

Paoletti Estates Winery

Piccolo Cru Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2021

Piccolo Cru’ – Red Blend – Vintage 2021
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An Italian-inspired Bordeaux blend crafted under the steady hand of winemaker Gabriella Gazano, who has guided the estate for over 25 years. This cuvée unites 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 15% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. It’s a wine that marries the structural power of Bordeaux varietals with Mediterranean elegance and Napa Valley ripeness.

Aromas & Flavors
Vibrant layers of dark cherries, cassis, and ripe blackberry, supported by graphite, cocoa, and a whisper of dried herbs. Hints of cedar, vanilla, and warm spice from the oak complete the aromatic tapestry.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet graceful. Firm, polished tannins give structure while a velvety mid-palate carries richness and depth. The finish is persistent, balancing dark fruit with savory spice.

Food Pairings
Made for hearty and soulful fare: osso buco, braised short ribs, Tuscan ribollita, or grilled ribeye. A natural partner for Italian-inspired dishes that emphasize flavor and tradition.

Verdict
Piccolo Cru’ is a harmonious bridge between Old World refinement and New World power. Structured, soulful, and deeply satisfying, it captures both the strength of Napa terroir and the finesse of Italian winemaking artistry.

Did You Know?
Calistoga, the northernmost tip of Napa Valley, is famed for its volcanic soils and hot days cooled by evening breezes. These extremes allow Bordeaux varietals to develop ripeness and structure in equal measure, ideal for blends like Piccolo Cru’.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This bottle sings of duality: a Tuscan heart wrapped in Napa muscle. It’s soulful, elegant, and powerful, a wine I’d revisit for its depth, story, and sense of place.
— 6 days ago

Ted, Bob and 1 other liked this

Raymond Vineyard & Cellar

R Collection The Inaugural Lot No. 3 Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Are with beef, great flavor - rich and delightful — 3 months ago

Heitz Cellar

Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Steak & football 🏈 with my buddies.
Minimum 3-4 hour decant when drinking this so soon.
— 24 days ago

Paul, Jeroen and 21 others liked this

Heitz Cellar

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

I don't know. This wine is good, and 2018 was very good for Napa. But, to me, this drinks like $30. Don't shoot! 🤞
Listening to Nada Surf.
— 3 months ago

Paul, Pooneet and 19 others liked this
Tegan Marriott

Tegan Marriott

I had tried a 2010 trailside vineyard from Heitz & was underwhelmed. Could've been it needed more time? 😕
Dave

Dave

I don't know. Maybe we just have such refined tastes 😎😅 @Tegan Marriott

Dana Estates

Lotus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Solid CA Cab. Rich and thick. I liked it but it wasn’t quite up to the build up. Dark fruits. Bramble and high alcohol. Tighter than it should be this point. I enjoyed but was still somewhat lacking. — a month ago

Tom, Tom and 9 others liked this

Dana Estates

Helms Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Gem of a wine. — a month ago

Tom, Paul and 4 others liked this

Heitz Cellar

Cellar Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Somm David T
9.2

A night of finishing coravined 07’s.

A purchase on the secondary market about 8 plus months ago. Its storage not what mine would show at this point. It’s farther advanced from what it should be at this stage, but still enjoyable. Showing some liqueur notes.

I feel similarly about this producers Napa Cabernets as I do Joseph Phelps. There’s differences and I lean into Phelps Napa over most of the Heitz Napa’s.

The nose shows baked & slightly stewed fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark slightly liqueured cherries, both plums stewed, cherries, raspberries, tree bark with sap, mid berry cola, delicate baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanillin, spices, anise to black licorice, black tea, fresh & old tobacco, sweet tarriness, withering & just slightly, candied flowers that are dark at the core, red, withering red roses with violets.
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The palate is ripe, a touch lush & ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, dark slightly liqueured cherries, both plums, cherries & raspberries. Tree bark with sap, mid berry cola, delicate baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanillin, caramel, malt balls, menthol, dark spices with some palate heat, anise to black licorice, expresso, milk chocolate w/ toffee bit’s, black tea, fresh & old tobacco, sweet tarriness, sweet forest floor w/ dry leaves, withering & just slightly, candied flowers that are dark at the core, red, withering red roses with violets, excellent acidity, well balanced/crafted, nicely tensioned & elegance/polish for days with a finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands evenly on earthiness & spice.
— 3 months ago

Paul, Ira and 14 others liked this