Gandona
Encosta Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Just tried another bottle. Meaning “hillside” in Portuguese, a blend of 88% Cab Sauv, 8% Cab Franc & 4% Merlot. Small production, big wine, black berry fruit aromas with sweet spice notes. Flavors of black cherry, raspberry and currants with cacao, with smooth tannins. Great balance, enticing character, long finish ending with earthy tones. Aging well. Very nice.
Just tried another bottle. Meaning “hillside” in Portuguese, a blend of 88% Cab Sauv, 8% Cab Franc & 4% Merlot. Small production, big wine, black berry fruit aromas with sweet spice notes. Flavors of black cherry, raspberry and currants with cacao, with smooth tannins. Great balance, enticing character, long finish ending with earthy tones. Aging well. Very nice.
Feb 16th, 2021
Final night on Hilton Head Island. The beach has treated us well and Emily is enjoying some relaxation away from her kindergarten class!
Red Fish is a fantastic spot on the island. They have a retail shop in the restaurant with a nice selection and very reasonable prices. Having had Gandona’s flagship wine before, I wanted to try their entry level wine. 15.6 ABV! This was locked up TIGHT. Really benefited from letting it sit for a while. Black cherry, scorched earth, smoked cedar, & cassis on the nose. Smelled a tad hot. Great tannic structure on the front and mid palate showing more black cherry, plum, grilled blackberries, and ripe red fruit with nutmeg. Finish didn’t carry on like I expected. Still gripping two hours after opening.
Final night on Hilton Head Island. The beach has treated us well and Emily is enjoying some relaxation away from her kindergarten class!
Red Fish is a fantastic spot on the island. They have a retail shop in the restaurant with a nice selection and very reasonable prices. Having had Gandona’s flagship wine before, I wanted to try their entry level wine. 15.6 ABV! This was locked up TIGHT. Really benefited from letting it sit for a while. Black cherry, scorched earth, smoked cedar, & cassis on the nose. Smelled a tad hot. Great tannic structure on the front and mid palate showing more black cherry, plum, grilled blackberries, and ripe red fruit with nutmeg. Finish didn’t carry on like I expected. Still gripping two hours after opening.
Meaning “hillside” in Portuguese, a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc & 4% Merlot. Small production, big wine, black berry fruit aromas with sweet spice notes. Flavors of black cherry, raspberry and currants with cacao, with smooth tannins. Great balance, enticing character, lingering finish ending with hints of earthy tones. Has room to age. Very nice.
Meaning “hillside” in Portuguese, a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc & 4% Merlot. Small production, big wine, black berry fruit aromas with sweet spice notes. Flavors of black cherry, raspberry and currants with cacao, with smooth tannins. Great balance, enticing character, lingering finish ending with hints of earthy tones. Has room to age. Very nice.
Mar 9th, 2018
This juice has real potential, but it has a creaky stairway that comes from the vintage. Nice oak profile, however, It’s stemy, and the tannins are underripe. But if you peer beyond those characteristics, I see something special. I want to look at the 12 or 13 vintages.
This juice has real potential, but it has a creaky stairway that comes from the vintage. Nice oak profile, however, It’s stemy, and the tannins are underripe. But if you peer beyond those characteristics, I see something special. I want to look at the 12 or 13 vintages.
Feb 5th, 2018
Kurt had this 6 years ago
Kurt had this 6 years ago
1 person found it helpfulDec 17th, 2017
Dark fruit with baking spices on the nose. Somewhat of a fruit bomb on the palate. Super thick and concentrated. Ripe blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, blueberries, coco powder, vanilla , caramel, violets, soft and silky medium intensity minerality, soft leather, lite oak presence and a very nice long full finish that leaves a dusty tannin presence the palate on the long finish.
Dark fruit with baking spices on the nose. Somewhat of a fruit bomb on the palate. Super thick and concentrated. Ripe blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, blueberries, coco powder, vanilla , caramel, violets, soft and silky medium intensity minerality, soft leather, lite oak presence and a very nice long full finish that leaves a dusty tannin presence the palate on the long finish.
1 person found it helpfulSep 18th, 2016
Big, dense CA Cab. Dark berries, spice, tons of power. Great 2nd label!
Big, dense CA Cab. Dark berries, spice, tons of power. Great 2nd label!
1 person found it helpfulJun 20th, 2015
Big, deep and rich. If you like this style you'll be happy
Big, deep and rich. If you like this style you'll be happy
1 person found it helpfulMay 22nd, 2015Lots of red fruit, elegantly styled, lengthy finish. Delicious!
Lots of red fruit, elegantly styled, lengthy finish. Delicious!
1 person found it helpfulJan 28th, 2015
What a wine. I could taste the character of Pritchard Hill - this one being from the Gandona winery. Encosta means, roughly translated, 'hillside', or 'slope' in Portuguese. P.Melka is the wine maker and this is just the estate wine.
I have to say it is pretty darn good, and definitely has that magical Melka touch. Fragrant of decayed violet and dark chocolate covered pomegranate seeds, with a hint of game. Integrated, yet quite firm tannin, exhibiting notes of blue and black fruit, bright acidity, clove, cocoa, and a lifted feel in the pallet. The alcohol is 15.6%, but you don't entirely notice it. It is well hidden. I want to know how the $225 top estate wine is drinking then...
What a wine. I could taste the character of Pritchard Hill - this one being from the Gandona winery. Encosta means, roughly translated, 'hillside', or 'slope' in Portuguese. P.Melka is the wine maker and this is just the estate wine.
I have to say it is pretty darn good, and definitely has that magical Melka touch. Fragrant of decayed violet and dark chocolate covered pomegranate seeds, with a hint of game. Integrated, yet quite firm tannin, exhibiting notes of blue and black fruit, bright acidity, clove, cocoa, and a lifted feel in the pallet. The alcohol is 15.6%, but you don't entirely notice it. It is well hidden. I want to know how the $225 top estate wine is drinking then...