Description
Pilcrow, “Ghost Block” Cabernet Sauvignon
Today, we’re thrilled to unveil Pilcrow’s highly anticipated, guaranteed-to-sell-out 2019 “Ghost Block.” This rare, gorgeously structured Cabernet Sauvignon outshines most cult-tier labels and has sprung to the top of our ‘Napa Valley favorites’ list in record time.
The story behind it begins with a historic handshake: Six years ago, the legendary “Ghost Block” vineyard—home to Yountville’s most treasured, Certified Organic, privately-owned Cabernet—was made “public” by the Hoxsey family for the first time since 1903. There were strict guidelines to the deal. Only four rows of vines were made available, and they went to a single entity: Sara and Jonah Beer’s fascinating new micro-label. Within that time, Pilcrow’s extremely scarce gems have shattered expectations, delivering one of the most profound Napa Cabernet Sauvignon drinking experiences imaginable. It should go without saying that this ’19 is a young wine but even in its youth, there is extreme pleasure, fathomless depth, and nuanced complexity lurking within each layer. Just six barrels were produced, and we can part with up to six bottles per person until our allocation inevitably hits “0.”
Pilcrow owners Sara and Jonah Beer define Ghost Block as “a unicorn mountain vineyard that is one-of-a-kind in the Napa Valley.” But Ghost Block lies on Yountville’s valley floor, so how’s this possible? This ancient site was once embedded in the peaks of the Vaca range looming above. Millions of years ago, an earth-shattering seismic event sheared off one of these mountaintops and sent it careening into the valley below, where it subsequently became a “hill” of exposed tertiary volcanic rock. Today’s vines straddle this very terroir. There’s a reason the Hoxsey family cherishes this vineyard so much!
The vineyard, however, didn’t get its name millions of years ago, although its origins are historic for the Napa Valley. “Ghost Block” takes its name after Napa pioneer, George Yount, who has long been entombed in a nearby cemetery. For the uninitiated, George was the very first to plant vines in the valley back in 1836. Today’s vineyard was planted by the Hoxsey family in 1903, and, as legend has it, is said to be “looked after” by the man who birthed one of the world’s most renowned wine regions.
Pilcrow’s four rows of organically farmed Cabernet Sauvignon were handpicked and sorted on September 30th, 2018. After a natural, native-yeast fermentation, the resulting wine aged for 22 months in high-quality French oak, just 25% new. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered—an absolute necessity for this classic style—just months ago.
If you choose to open one of Pilcrow’s 2019 “Ghost Block” Cabernets within the next two years, please allow a minimum 60-minute decant and savor it in your largest Bordeaux stems over the course of two days. You will not find a heavy, inky Cabernet bruiser behind the cork: Instead, this is all about purity and finesse with incredible soil structure to each savory, dark-fruited layer. Framed by fresh acidity and gorgeous, fine-grained tannins, the refined palate is approaching full-bodied and promises to unlock additional depth/complexity over the next 10-20 years. Be patient, and you’ll see why this is always our favorite Pilcrow bottling!
