Don was a serious collector (and consumer) of fine wines for over thirty years. In January of 2003 we brought a small knoll 3.5 miles north of Saint Helena in the heart of the Napa Valley. Included in this two acre parcel was a rocky .75 acre Cabernet vineyard planted in 1996, a very modest vineyard cottage (originally a stone barn built in 1921), a guesthouse and a winery. After an internal remodel of the cottage, many gallons of paint and extensive landscaping, the knoll became our home.
Many years ago we read the book Shibumi, which became one of our favorites: adventure, intrigue, romance, the book has it all. The book introduced us to the concept of Shibumi, a Japanese word describing a physical and emotional state which most nearly translates to “the pursuit of perfection though simplicity” or “Effortless Perfection”. Life on our little knoll in a simple cottage surrounded by vineyards, canopied by majestic oaks and blessed with bucolic 360-degree views, is truly one of perfection through simplicity. Hence when we decided to make wine under our own label, “Shibumi Knoll Vineyards” seemed perfect.
We feel blessed to live in the beautiful Napa Valley and thank you for loving our wines.
It is said by Burgundian vinters that the grape is simply a vehicle that allows the vineyard to express itself. Shibumi Knoll is located in the center of the Napa Valley .3 miles off Highway 29 and a quarter mile from the Napa River. It is on the alluvial fan of Mill Creek and is composed of 80% rock. Thus the wine shows the grace of Napa Valley Cabernet yet has the structure we see in wines from stony hillside vineyards. We harvest the grapes when they are ripe but not overly so. Therefore our Cabernet shows many qualities of a great red Bordeaux. Because of these qualities it is a favorite at The French Laundry.
Our first vintage of Shibumi Cabernet was the 2003. The grapes were processed at Benessere Winery located about a half mile north of Shibumi Knoll. There, while watching the grapes being processed, Don met another vintner, Eugena Keegan, who was bringing in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes from Sonoma County. Eugena asked Don if he’d like to barrel taste her wines. The last wine he tasted, a chardonnay from Buena Tierra Vineyards, he felt was stunning. Eugena was moving to Oregon so he approached the owner of Buena Tierra Vineyards, located on the Russian River in Sonoma county about buying the grapes. The owner explained that because the vines were 35 years old and grape production was down, he was going to replant the 2.4-acre block. Don offered to pay full production price for whatever grapes were harvested, an agreement which has continued for 12 years.
The Shibumi Knoll Buena Tierra Chardonnay has proven to be among the best in the country. The 2005 vintage received a 97 from The Wine Spectator, tied for the highest score given California Chardonnay in the first decade of this century.
This ancient block of vines has produced some incredible Chardonnay vintage after vintage.
In the summer of 2012 Don was walking the Buena Tierra Vineyard with Thomas Brown when Thomas pointed to a small block of Swan clone Pinot Noir and said “I could make some great Pinot Noir from these grapes.” 2012 was our first vintage from this block. Our Pinot Noir is a favorite of many among the wines we produce.
The 2020 Cabernet is a shining example of how delicious, elegant and beautiful our Cabernet can be. The aromas of ripe plum, black cherry and stone fruits entice the nose. The wine is beautifully structured with a soft, velvety feel on the palate. The soft, subtle tannins make it seem that you are drinking a more mature wine. The hint of spice integrated with dark stone fruits segue into a long, lingering and enticing mouthfeel. This vintage is not one to miss, it’s approachable now and destined to be off the charts in years to come
Review:
Lastly, the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Shibumi Knoll Vineyard is all varietal and spent 22 months in 75% new barrels. It's another beautifully balanced and impeccably made wine from this team that has tons to love, and in this case, it certainly represents a relative value as well. Cassis, darker chocolate, scorched earth, and graphite are just some of its aromatics, and it's concentrated and has full-bodied richness, fine tannins, and the pure, layered, impressive style of the vintage front and center.
-Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
100% Chardonnay aged 14 months in 30% new French oak.
Review:
“Stone fruits, buttered citrus, white flowers, and a subtle hint of green almonds all emerge from the 2021 Chardonnay Buena Tierra Vineyard, a medium to full-bodied, ripe, yet elegant Chardonnay. I love its overall balance, and it brings an impressive mix of richness and elegance.”
Jeb Dunnuck, 96 points
Shibumi Knoll Chardonnay Corazon del Rio is made from 100% Chardonnay aged 14 months in 20% new French oak.
Review:
“The 2021 Chardonnay Corazon Del Rio Vineyard is another brilliant Chardonnay (these are all made by Thomas Rivers Brown) from the Russian River Valley. Bright citrus, honeyed flowers, and subtle toasty oak notes define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied, has a fresh, focused mouthfeel, terrific balance, and a great finish. I'd be thrilled with bottles in the cellar.”
-Jeb Dunnuck, 95 points
Shibumi Knoll Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir, 20 percent in new French Oak.
Review:
“Moving to the reds, the 2021 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast comes from the Riddle Vineyard in Sonoma and spent 10 months in 20% new French oak. Black raspberries, sappy herbs, spring flowers, and some black tea notes all give way to a medium-bodied, elegant, vibrant Sonoma Pinot Noir with supple, fine-grained tannins and a great finish. It will age, but it's too good to resist today.”
Jeb Dunnuck, 96 points
Ottella Lugana DOC Le Creete is made from 100% Turbiano (clonal type of Trebbiano di Lugana)
PRODUCTION AREA: S. Benedetto di Lugana. The grapes are harvested exclusively from our own vineyards; harvesting is strictly manual in small 17kg-crates
TRAINING METHOD: Guyot, double arc
Golden, warm, intense straw yellow. Immediate exotic notes.
It develops in a very pleasant fashion, good mineral impression Rich, succulent and well balanced for a truly
satisfactory mouthfeel. Mineral on the finish with just enough acidity to
provide lift and depth.
FOOD: Sea or lake fish to bring out its outstanding features; goes well with white meat and soup, and has quite a surprising affinity with tasty cheese
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 13% vol
SERVING TEMPERATURE: 10-12 degrees Celcius
Review:
Elderflower, tropical fruit and citrus aromas mingle with a whiff of crushed tomato vine. The bright, tangy palate offers white peach, gooseberry and grapefruit before a bitter almond finish.
-Wine Enthusiast 91 Points
Crown Point Relevant Red is made from 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot.
The Crown Point Relevant is the introductory wine to Crown Point Vineyards. All estate grown, it showcases incredible freshness and fruit character from their young vines. A large part of the blend is given to Cabernet Sauvignon, which brings spiced tones of cassis, violets, and bay leaves. Cabernet Franc brings a delicate and soft character to this wine and is completed with a touch of Petit Verdot that brings tension and density. The wine was aged in 50% new French oak and 50% used French oak for one year.
Review:
Intensely dark blueberry and cassis aromas are cut by hints of meat and dry oak on the nose of this estate's entry-level bottling, which includes 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petite Verdot. Chalky, firm tannins frame the fresh blackberry flavors of the sip, where a dusting of pepper spice floats through the long-lingering finish.
- 95 Points - Wine Enthusiast