Among the tapestry of historic vineyards in Napa Valley, there are a few standout names, but even fewer sites, if any, involve the rare combination of legendary wine, romance, and a touch of mystery. Bonny’s Vineyard is such a place. This four-acre vineyard in the Oakville District is both a special piece of land and a unique part of Napa history. It was planted in 1974 by Justin Meyer, the winemaker and co-founder of Silver Oak Cellars, as a gift to his wife, Bonny. Ideally situated in a gravelly spot adjacent to Conn Creek on the valley floor, Bonny’s Vineyard was responsible for a memorable string of Silver Oak vintages over the course of two decades.
Justin Meyer stopped producing the Bonny's Vineyard designate after the 1991 vintage. After replanting in 1999, the family has again decided to make a single vineyard bottling. True to the orignal, this is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 100% American oak barrels for almost 3 full years. The nose exhibits dark fruit aromas of cherry and plum mingling with cedar and cardamom and a hint of eucalyptus. The palate is the heart of this wine, with concentrated fruit on the entry and luscious, silky tannins filling the mouth with an almost endless finish.
As distinct and impressive a terroir as we farm in the Napa Valley. The rocky, gravel-rich soils contribute a distinct sauvage/mineral character, creating a stunning complexity to play off of Cabernet’s natural robust and fruit-driven personality from Oakville. In 2021 Argot added a new vineyard block to our holdings at Bonny’s. Deeper gravel and the famously low-yielding Disney clone conspire towards awesome complexity, and a deeply mysterious, brooding personality. A wholly different Cabernet from its 2021 siblings that you will not want to miss. Only 150 cases produced.
Review:
"Opaque purple-black colored, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Bonny's Vineyard prances out with showy scents of Morello cherries, wild blueberries, and black raspberries, leading to a core of black currant jelly and violets. The full-on, full-bodied palate is densely laden with black and blue berry layers, framed by fine-grained tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing long and earthy."
- 97 Points, Lisa Perrotti Brown, The Wine Independent