Salvestrin

Salvestrin Estate Vineyard St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon

9.1134 ratings
9.219 pro ratings
St. Helena, Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
Jake Hajer

Dr. Crane vineyard. Elegant. Tobacco, dry tannins- red plums, red currants. Wine needs a few years and will be great with age for up to 15yr.

Dr. Crane vineyard. Elegant. Tobacco, dry tannins- red plums, red currants. Wine needs a few years and will be great with age for up to 15yr.

Oct 4th, 2022
Isaac Pirolo

I found a house in St Helena last week and will be moving there at the end of May. I thought I should get acquainted with the neighbors. What better way than a face off?
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Neyers Vineyards 2011 Neyers Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon vs Salvestrin Winery 2013 Salvestrin Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Neyers Ranch is situated in the hills of Conn Valley just east of St Helena, with elevations ranging from 400’ to 1200’ on a south-facing, 50-acre parcel bisected by Conn Creek. Since 1998 Neyers has sustainably farmed this vineyard. Winemaker Tadeo Borchardt started in 2004 as assistant to then winemaker Ehren Jordan.
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This Neyers was highlighted as one of the best of Napa’s 2011s in Jon Bonné’s piece for the SF Chronicle “Lessons from Napa in the trickiest of years” saying it “finds that great Cabernet balance of sleekness and dense flavor” with “pitch-perfect expression” and an “oregano-like herbal side frames its meaty structure and subtle blackcurrant fruit.”
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Since 1932, three generations of Salvestrins have sustainable farmed their vineyard which was originally planted in 1860 by Dr. George Crane. It’s situated immediately south of St Helena High School and along Main St (Hwy 29), surrounding the family winery. Rich Salvestrin farms the vineyard and makes the wine, and his wife Shannon handles the sales and marketing, while they both raise the 4th generation on their farm.
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Robert Parker gushed over the 2013, as “lusty, savory, hedonistic, rich and mouth-filling, with a dense purple color and not a hard edge in sight.” His praise did not stop there, saying that this “blockbuster fruit bomb has complexity, richness and a savory intensity that has to be tasted to be believed.”
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The vintages were so different that it’s difficult to weigh them against each other. Bonné is definitely on point calling the Neyers one of the best examples of 2011 Napa Cabernet. Savory, with rich aromatics of Mexican cocoa powder and mole sauce, reminiscent of Corison’s 2011. To Parker’s credit, the Salvestrin is definitely a blockbuster and a hedonistic fruit bomb, but the savoriness, complexity, and length tone down its showiness, and add a level of decorum that sets it apart.

I found a house in St Helena last week and will be moving there at the end of May. I thought I should get acquainted with the neighbors. What better way than a face off?
.
Neyers Vineyards 2011 Neyers Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon vs Salvestrin Winery 2013 Salvestrin Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.
.
Neyers Ranch is situated in the hills of Conn Valley just east of St Helena, with elevations ranging from 400’ to 1200’ on a south-facing, 50-acre parcel bisected by Conn Creek. Since 1998 Neyers has sustainably farmed this vineyard. Winemaker Tadeo Borchardt started in 2004 as assistant to then winemaker Ehren Jordan.
.
This Neyers was highlighted as one of the best of Napa’s 2011s in Jon Bonné’s piece for the SF Chronicle “Lessons from Napa in the trickiest of years” saying it “finds that great Cabernet balance of sleekness and dense flavor” with “pitch-perfect expression” and an “oregano-like herbal side frames its meaty structure and subtle blackcurrant fruit.”
.
Since 1932, three generations of Salvestrins have sustainable farmed their vineyard which was originally planted in 1860 by Dr. George Crane. It’s situated immediately south of St Helena High School and along Main St (Hwy 29), surrounding the family winery. Rich Salvestrin farms the vineyard and makes the wine, and his wife Shannon handles the sales and marketing, while they both raise the 4th generation on their farm.
.
Robert Parker gushed over the 2013, as “lusty, savory, hedonistic, rich and mouth-filling, with a dense purple color and not a hard edge in sight.” His praise did not stop there, saying that this “blockbuster fruit bomb has complexity, richness and a savory intensity that has to be tasted to be believed.”
.
The vintages were so different that it’s difficult to weigh them against each other. Bonné is definitely on point calling the Neyers one of the best examples of 2011 Napa Cabernet. Savory, with rich aromatics of Mexican cocoa powder and mole sauce, reminiscent of Corison’s 2011. To Parker’s credit, the Salvestrin is definitely a blockbuster and a hedonistic fruit bomb, but the savoriness, complexity, and length tone down its showiness, and add a level of decorum that sets it apart.

May 9th, 2018
Chad Schultenover, CCM

Certified Sommelier, GM/COO at The Berkshire Country Club

9.2

Wonderful wine!! Thanks Mike Conti!

Wonderful wine!! Thanks Mike Conti!

Aug 20th, 2017
Scott Cunningham

Owner/Importer Bottleneck Wines

9.2

Boysenberry lavender pie with chocolate olive pits intermixed with a dose of iron laden dirt. Crazy fun St Helena Cab. Give it an hour in the decanter before enjoying.

Boysenberry lavender pie with chocolate olive pits intermixed with a dose of iron laden dirt. Crazy fun St Helena Cab. Give it an hour in the decanter before enjoying.

2 people found it helpfulSep 16th, 2015
Aaron Means

Dr. Crane Vineyard at a fraction of the price. This is banging!!!! Get in line, this is some good juice!

Dr. Crane Vineyard at a fraction of the price. This is banging!!!! Get in line, this is some good juice!

1 person found it helpfulAug 10th, 2017
Kapyrick Wine

V13. Outstanding. Eucalyptus and cedar nose. Juicy , velvety smooth blue and blackberry fruit, nice pepper and leather finish.

V13. Outstanding. Eucalyptus and cedar nose. Juicy , velvety smooth blue and blackberry fruit, nice pepper and leather finish.

1 person found it helpfulMar 19th, 2017
Saman Hosseini

Writer Maison Abattoir

9.1

Long and velvety. blackberry and plum fruit and bittersweet chocolate and oak, with chewy tannins.

Long and velvety. blackberry and plum fruit and bittersweet chocolate and oak, with chewy tannins.

1 person found it helpfulOct 13th, 2013
Drew Dodson

Delicious. Can't wait to revisit down the road

Delicious. Can't wait to revisit down the road

Aug 14th, 2015
Evan Roberts

Good but maybe needs a little more time to find some balance. Young bright leather oak plum. Small lot wine

Good but maybe needs a little more time to find some balance. Young bright leather oak plum. Small lot wine

Mar 2nd, 2015
Ross Larson

Deep currant, mild smokiness, balanced

Deep currant, mild smokiness, balanced

Dec 19th, 2021