Jean Hoefliger’s accoladed journey to find perfection in wine continues through various projects, and this one is up for debate. Which Napa Valley vineyard produces the best 100% Cabernet Sauvignon? It all started with fruit from three different Beckstoffer vineyards, each one sharing a different expression of the varietal. All three wines were made with the exact same process and precision - barrel fermented for 18 months in 100% French Oak, 80% new. Jean then expanded upon vineyard sites and repeated this idea with Cabernet Franc. The 2018 vintages are rolling through our warehouse and limited quantities are available for pre-order.
Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyards:
Denali Vineyard St. Helena | faces southwest at 500ft elevation. The property is shared between Michel Rolland, Celia Welch, Phillipe Melka, Thomas Brown and The Debate’s, Jean Hoefliger… Enough said.
Sacrashe Vineyard Rutherford | is well known for many single vineyard wines produced in Rutherford. The chalky soils are extremely distinct with no comparison to anything else in the valley at 800ft elevation.
Artalade Vineyard Pritchard Hill | neighbors the infamous Chappellet and Tusk estates. It’s at the edge of the Vaca Mountain range at 1,100ft elevation. This is a portion of the Montagna estate.
The Debate 2018 - Cabernet Sauvignon Pack
mixed 3-pack
(1) Denali Vineyard 2018
2018 - 96pts WE, 95+pts WA (current offering vintage)
2017 - 95pts JD, 93+ WA
2016 - 97pts JD, 95pts WA
(1) Sacrashe Vineyard 2018
2018 - 97pts WE, 95+ WA (current offering vintage)
2017 - 97pts JD, 95pts WA
2016 - 96pts Vin, 95+pts WA, 95 JD
(1) Artalade Montagna 2018
2018 - 97pts WE, 94+pts WA, 95+pts JD (current offering vintage)
2017 - 95pts JD, 94+pts WA
2016 - 95+pts JD, 93+pts Vin, 95pts WA
Cabernet Franc Vineyards:
Sleeping Lady Vineyard Yountville | is the coolest of the sites sitting on the southern tip of the Yountville foothills in the Mayacamas Bench. This vineyard is farmed with cutting edge technology by the Bettinelli Family.
Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Oakville | consists of only 10% of Cabernet Franc. The small but mighty lot of fruit that comes from this vineyard is located on the western valley floor tucked against the Mayacamas Mountain Range.
Stagecoach Vineyard Atlas Peak | is the largest contiguous vineyard in Napa Valley. The Cabernet Franc block is at 1,500ft elevation at the furthest northwestern part of Stagecoach Vineyard.
The Debate 2018 - Cabernet Franc Pack
mixed 3-pack
(1) Sleeping Lady Vineyard 2018
2018 - 95pts WA, 95pts WE (current offering vintage)
2017 - 95pts JD, 93+pts WA
2016 - 97pts JD, 95+pts WA, 95pts Vin
(1) Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 2018
2018 - 97pts WA, 97pts JD, 94pts WE (current offering vintage)
2017 - 96pts JD, 94pts WA
2016 - 99pts JD, 98pts WA, 94pts Vin
(1) Stagecoach Vineyard 2018
2018 - 95pts JD, 94pts WA (current offering vintage)
2017 - 92+pts WA
2016 - 96pts WA, 95pts JD, 95pts Vin