Elu 2016

Élu comes from St. Supéry's estate-owned vineyards, in the Napa Valley appellation, California. This cuvée blends grapes from Rutherford Estate Vineyard, in the heart of the valley, and Dollarhide Estate Vineyard. Sustainably farmed, these plots offer a broad, refined interpretation of Bordeaux grape varieties under Napa's sunny climate.

The grapes are hand-harvested in the cool hours, then sorted first as whole clusters and a second time after destemming. The berries undergo a cold soak on the skins, followed by fermentation at a high temperature with gentle punch-downs and an extended maceration before pressing. Forty per cent of the berries are fermented in French oak barrels. Ageing lasts 19 months in French oak, 48% of it new.

This wine reveals notes of black plum, juicy blackberry, blackcurrant, black liquorice, anise, black pepper, graphite, espresso, dark cocoa and toasted oak. Nuances of ripe dark fruit, spice and roast blend into a deep, harmonious whole. The palate is dense and silky, carried by balanced freshness, fine-grained, elegant tannins and a long, persistent and flavourful finish.

In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors into California that boosted the Californian wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in Sonoma and Napa. At the start of the 20th century there were 800 wineries. From 1919 to 1933, Prohibition destroyed the vast majority of the Californian wine industry, so much so that by 1933 only 140 wineries were still producing wine. It was not until 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition, and California was then known mainly for fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous wineries were founded (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc.). In 1976 a landmark event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgement of Paris". It pitted the greatest French wines against the American newcomers. On 24 May, an unexpected result shook the wine world when, to everyone's surprise, the United States came out on top. Yet the competition remains fairly unknown to the general public. Today there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. Although California largely monopolises the reputation of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world and Washington State offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.