I could not resist picking up a bottle of Valhalla Cellars 2004 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon when I saw it on the shelf in the local grocery store. Being from Sweden with our heritage of Norse Gods and Valhalla I just had to try this wine that I had never heard of before. I just loved the label with the viking ship!
Valhalla Cellars was founded in 2001 by Todd Martin and Madeleine Beeler Warner, both of Scandinavian decent. Therefore the name of their label. They are small producers that buy grapes from top vineyards in areas that produce the best quality grapes for the wine they intend to produce.
This wine was fermented in open top fermenters with the cap punched down 3 times daily. It was then aged for 21 months in 60% new and 40% two year old French Oak. Only 70 cases produced.
The wine has a very dark dense ruby color in the glass with slight cloudiness. Red cherry, dark red currant, liquorice and vanilla meets you on the nose. It is relatively smooth on the palate with red fruit, spice, vanilla, good acidity, and young, slightly tart tannins that step in at the very finish.
The color of the wine through me off a little bit to start with. I expected more darker nuances in the fruit and berries, but they are young and red. Never the less, I enjoyed this wine and for $23 I would not hesitate to long to get it again.
Valhalla Cellars was founded in 2001 by Todd Martin and Madeleine Beeler Warner, both of Scandinavian decent. Therefore the name of their label. They are small producers that buy grapes from top vineyards in areas that produce the best quality grapes for the wine they intend to produce.
This wine was fermented in open top fermenters with the cap punched down 3 times daily. It was then aged for 21 months in 60% new and 40% two year old French Oak. Only 70 cases produced.
The wine has a very dark dense ruby color in the glass with slight cloudiness. Red cherry, dark red currant, liquorice and vanilla meets you on the nose. It is relatively smooth on the palate with red fruit, spice, vanilla, good acidity, and young, slightly tart tannins that step in at the very finish.
The color of the wine through me off a little bit to start with. I expected more darker nuances in the fruit and berries, but they are young and red. Never the less, I enjoyed this wine and for $23 I would not hesitate to long to get it again.
The only site I can find it at online is at the winery's web site for $28. They do not have a store online but I am sure you can contact them to purchase and have it shipped.
3 comments:
Nice review Victoria, I just recently came across these guys and wonedered about the Heaven name, thanks for the review. I will check my data on them and get back if I find out more information, as I probably have it!
Thank you! Please let me know if you find out more about them as they were new to me as well... Nice wine though. I will have to try the other varietals they produce as well.
Cheers, Victoria
"Viking Heaven" I love it Valhalla has special meaning to your wine friend so next time I venture to the market I do believe I will pick up a bottle to share with you.
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