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06.10.16
Buying Futures refers to purchasing wine that is still maturing in barrel. In France, this more than 200-year old practice is known as en primeur, which literally translates to, as being new.
In California, offering Wine Futures is a relatively recent development, and in Napa Valley, it is Cabernet Futures on which most winemakers set their sights. At Nickel & Nickel, our Cabernet Futures Program is all about 100%-varietal, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from some of the Napa Valley's most exciting regions: from Yountville and the Stags Leap District to Oakville, Rutherford, Diamond Mountain and more. And, each year, we invite our wine club members and past Futures buyers to come out and be the first to taste the newest vintage, straight out of barrel.
Barrel tastings are unique opportunity to glimpse a wine in its earliest stages of maturation, however, we're often asked what, exactly, should you look for during a Napa Valley Cabernet barrel tasting? And how do you know if the still developing wine will be any good? During our own Cabernet Futures event, which takes place every spring, Winemaker Darice Spinelli always offers one essential tasting tip: Give your wine a lot of air. You can really open up a young barrel selection just by giving it some extended time in your glass and a good, strong swirl.
When we host our annual barrel tastings at Nickel & Nickel, we're tasting more than a dozen lots side by side. Each of these selections represents a single vineyard wine from a distinct Napa Valley appellation. Because most of those lots were harvested on different days, had different rates of fermentation, and went into barrels at different times, each one is at its own unique stage of development.
Clearly, there are lot of variables to consider, and it's easy to overthink. And, too, we all perceive wines differently. No two palates are alike! Which is why, the real key to tasting wines in barrel is to come with an advance knowledge of what you like. Darice says that her main goal at each barrel tasting is to empower people to trust their palate, which can take time and practice.
"Having a personal history with a particular vineyard(s) can definitely be an advantage," Darice says. "Although no two vintages are alike, there are definitive qualities that make the Quarry Vineyard the Quarry Vineyard, or that make Beatty Ranch taste like Beatty Ranch." Tasting barrel selections side-by-side can give you a real sense of the quality of a particular vintage, while also highlighting the consistent expressions of a certain vineyard.
Of course, when it comes to buying Futures, you won't always have a past history with a wine or vineyard to give you that proverbial. And, you may not always have the chance to taste a barrel selection in advance. That's when it pays to do some research and get to know those wineries that are consistently recognized for working with great sites, for being hands-on stewards of their fruit, and for taking thoughtful, necessary steps to ensure that every wine is the best they could possibly make in a given year.
The opportunity to be the first to taste a Napa Valley Cabernet, to predict what it will become and be the first to lay claim to a potentially limited bottling is an experience unlike any other. If you'd like to learn more about our Cabernet Futures Program, we invite you to explore our website. You can also Contact Us Directly to learn more about our current 2015 Single-Vineyard Cabernet Futures offering.
04.13.22
Far Niente Family of Wineries & Vineyards' Vice President of Winemaking Andrew Delos and The Caviar Co.'s Tess Roletti are teaming up for our May Hosted at Home virtual wine tasting! From the crisp flavors of Bella Union Sauvignon Blanc with wild Hackleback caviar to the surprising magic of Siberian Sturgeon's large black pearls paired with Nickel & Nickel Darien Vineyard Syrah, it promises to be a wine and caviar event like no other.
LEARN MORE02.05.22
Bring your appetites and dust off your decanter because Bella Union Winemaker Brooke Price and Top Chef’s Ron Duprat are teaming up for our March Hosted at Home virtual wine tasting! From the new vintage of Bella Union’s estate-grown Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon to the [foie-gras optional] seared scallops menu Chef Duprat has designed to pair with the new vintage of Post & Beam Chardonnay, this month’s Napa Valley wines and recipe pairings are nothing short of decadent.
LEARN MORE04.27.21
Classically beautiful. Alluringly perfumed. With pure fruit flavors and an elegant mouthfeel. For four decades, Far Niente Chardonnay has captivated palates and hearts. As we continue to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this timeless Napa Valley wine, winemaker Nicole Marchesi weighs in on what it takes to grow and craft a Napa Valley icon.
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