Palate
ELLE favors the red fruits – Rainier cherries, cassis, red currents accented by a touch o seasoned leather- in aromas & taste. It finishes with well-integrated oak and subtle layers of vanilla due to extended barrel aging. The elegant tannins on the finish are a classic trait of Gabrielle wines. A firmly structured wine with 15+ year cellaring potential, yet as all GABRIELLE wines, can be happily consumed as a young wine.
Growing Conditions
Gabrielle envisioned ELLE for years and 2013 vintage again provided the character that perfectly matched her vision: a Red Wine that has the ripeness Napa Valley can achieve with the classic structure of a Bordeaux wine and impeccable balance. This wine will only be produced in vintage years that provide ideal conditions for ELLE.
The grapes for ELLE are primarily from the Oak Knoll District, known for its elegant Bordeaux style wines and perfect for a classic Red Wine blend. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot were harvested from the gold metal winning O’Connell Family Vineyard Estate. Malbec and Merlot came from boutique nearby vineyards. Cooler mornings extend the hang time of the grapes on the vine during the growing season, allowing slower ripening and longer time to develop elegant, complex flavors. Oak Knoll has been treasured by award winning Napa Valley wineries for decades and is now known in its own right since it received Appellation status in 2004. The area has been growing world-class fruit since the 1850s, when Captain John Osborne planted his award-winning vineyard, that today includes the O’Connell family Estate Vineyard, the core of ELLE.
Aging
Aged in new and one used French Oak for 45 months of Medium Plus Toast
Food Pairing
A Classic Bordeaux style wine is perfectly suited for elegant cuts of beef, such as a Prime Rib, Filet Mignon with sides of cheese infused mashed potato and broccolini drizzled with pungent extra virgin olive oil.
