By L'Envolee
2019 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Background
We are Caitlin and Quentin L'Hommeau - the husband and wife team behind the scenes of L'Envolee Wines. We began this project in 2018 with one ton of Cabernet Sauvignon and an opportunity for full creative freedom in handcrafting a premium Napa Valley wine of our own. Since then, we have combined our winemaking expertise, devoted most of our free time, and invested to bring L'Envolee to life. We do it all - from winemaking to designing our label to personally fulfilling wine orders. Quentin works full-time with Julien Fayard's consulting team. Caitlin works for consulting winemaker Russell Bevan.

Vintage Details
A wet winter season and a mild spring meant the vines were off to a great start, even if proper canopy management became of utmost importance to achieve vine balance. The summer was warm, and veraison was a little bit later than normal, but the fall weather was so mild that the grapes had adequate "hang time" for slow, even ripening. All in all, a stellar vintage for the Napa Valley.

Wine Details
Harvest: October 8, 2019
Fermentation Management: Punchdowns, Pulsair
Aging: 22 months in medium toast Taransaud and heavy toast Sylvain
Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot
Alcohol: 14.50%
Bottling Date: August 12, 2021

Tasting Notes
The 2019 L'Envolee Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant, fruit-driven wine made up of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot, all from the Oakville appellation of Napa Valley. At first glance, the wine is ruby red with hints of purple on the legs. Fruity aromas of cassis and fresh-picked boysenberries leap from the glass. This wine features vibrant acidity anchored by round tannins that add depth and power while highlighting notes of wild strawberries, vanilla, and spice.
[Information provided by Matador Vino]

Wine: 2019 L'Envolee Cabernet Sauvignon
Score/Rating: 98
Suggested Drinking Window: 2022-2037
Review Date: 03/10/2022
Reviewed By: Jeb Dunnuck
Tasting Notes: Another incredible wine from talented winemaker Caitlin Lhommeau [sic], the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon shows incredible refinement and elegance while at the same time bringing serious richness and depth. Pure cassis, blueberries, violets, and floral notes emerge on the nose, and it's full-bodied and seamless on the palate, with beautiful balance and polish to its mouthfeel. It's a stunning wine any way you look at it. Drink bottles over the coming 15-20 years.

Wine: L'ENVOLEE Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2019
Score/Rating: 96
Suggested Drinking Window: 2023-2040
Review Date: 06/2023
Reviewed By: J. D'Angelo
Tasting Notes: The 2019 L'Envolee Cabernet Sauvignon is an absolute beauty that is all about power and finesse. It begins with stunning aromatics of blackberries, casssis [sic] and hints of black raspberries which are laced with fresh spring florals, herbs, spices and hints of iron. On the palate this possesses a lovely sense of elegance, with a gorgeous medium to full body that is beautifully structured with polished tannins. It goes on to display notable depth, with remarkable overall balance and poise, as well as wonderful freshness an [sic] purity. It all comes to an end with a velvety finish that lingers. This is a sensational wine that will be approachable in its youth, but also has the potential to age gracefully.

Wine: 2019 L'Envolee Cabernet Sauvignon
Score/Rating: 94
Suggested Drinking Window: 2023 - 2030
Review Date: 03/31/2023
Reviewed By: Joe Czerwinski
Tasting Notes: The debut effort from the Lhommeaus [sic] (a husband-and-wife team, both winemakers), the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a terrific way to start. Unfortunately, there is just one ton of fruit from an unnamed vineyard (those pesky Napa nondisclosure agreements) using two new French oak barrels (and the wine is officially sold out at the winery). Smoky, roasted-meat aromas accent deep cassis fruit on the nose, while the wine is full-bodied, maybe even a touch warm in the mouth, but it's rich, concentrated, and velvety-creamy in texture, ending long, on notes of toasted coconut and dark chocolate. Decadent stuff, which I would probably drink on the young side, but it could show more savoriness with a bit of time in the cellar.