Within the award-winning, Michael Graves designed winery are 20,000 square feet of caves dug into the volcanic knoll that is immediately behind our winery. The entire winery was designed with the grand portico entrance acting like a dividing line that separates the southern side focused on the production of wine and the northern side focused on the enjoyment of wine.
The caves follow this same design element and are laid out in a similar manner. The southern side of the caves houses barrels in a temperature and humidity controlled environment perfectly designed for aging our wines until they are ready to be bottled. The northern side, on the other hand, includes the unique Cave Theater, a dramatic setting for celebrations and special events and perfectly intended for enjoying the fruits of our labor. The Cave Theater has uniquely expressive acoustics for live performances and serves as the ideal location for hosting dinners and other events.
Clos Pegase has always been known for its great estate-grown and bottled wines. The "Estate" designation means that the wines are made exclusively from grapes grown in our own vineyards and under our control. This requires a significant investment of time and money in vineyard management, but results in a higher level of quality that clearly comes through in the final wine.
At Clos Pegase we have 410 acres in Napa Valley made up of three vineyards, each with unique characteristics that bring out the very best of the grapes we grow each vintage. By working with these same three vineyards over the decades we have gotten to know the nuances that can be brought out in each wine leading to an unmatched style and level of quality.
All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
In 1992 the Hill-Smith family counted themselves amongst those fortunate enough to own a vineyard upon the famous Coonawarra terra rossa soil over limestone. Experimentation, innovation, minimalist intervention and small batch winemaking has resulted in The Menzies’ reputation as a wine of longevity, elegance and structure.
Deep crimson with a plum hue. Aromas of fresh blackcurrants, mulberry, ozone, violets and exotic spices. Take a sip and you will feel the poise and tension for which great Cabernet is renowned. A wine of great complexity with flavors of blackcurrant jubes, bitter chocolate and mulberries, wrapped in divine tannins and a lovely sweet, dark fruit finish. With decanting in its youth it is enjoyable as an elegant full-bodied red wine.
Wonderful with a chargrilled rib eye on the bone or porcini mushroom, thyme and quinoa risotto.
Review:
Prune plums and blackcurrants. Violets, lavender leaf and black cherry. Olive tapenade, rosemary and crushed black peppercorn. The wine is held together by a fine mesh of grape and subtle oak tannins, intertwined with pure Coonawarra cabernet fruit. It’s chiselled in its dimension, and you might miss it, as it has such great drinking pleasure. Fruit purity, lovingly handled equals total seduction.
- Australian Wine Companion 95 Points