Founded in 1997, Nickel & Nickel was the brainchild of Gil and Beth Nickel of Far Niente Winery in Oakville, California. Their objective was to craft 100 percent varietal, single-vineyard wines that best express the distinct personality of each vineyard. While they also produce Merlot, Chardonnay and Syrah their focus is on single appellation, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

State Ranch is situated northeast of the town of Yountville. The 23-acre vineyard is divided into two parcels, consisting of older and younger vines. Nickel & Nickel sources fruit only from 11 acres of the vineyard. The soils are porous and possess rocky loam.

This wine is opaque with a deep purple rim. It has a luxurious mouth-feel of ripe Morello cherries and organic blueberries intermixed with black exotic spices and encased in layers of plush cream. The alluvial soils also yield an essence of earth and graphite in the core. The tannins are ripe and round making this wine immediately accessible and gratifying.

By W Peter Hoyne