Gibbs – Napa Valley
The history of this family stretches all the way back to the 1950’s when Lewis Gibb Carpenter Jr settles in Saint Helena and planted nuts and fruit crops adding grapes in the mid 1960’s, specifically Cabernet, Cab Franc, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. Over the years many well known wineries in the valley such as Louis Martini, Cakebread and Chappellet purchased grapes.
In 2000 Craig Handly, Lewis’s Son in Law started making wine from grapes grown in the family vineyards under several different labels. When Lewis died in 2013 Craig and his wife Susan and his son Spencer joined the family business and Gibbs (Winery) was born. With the family vineyards and a handful of contracts in place already with others growers, the Winery has grown in both size and reputation collection rave reviews and ratings along the way.
They produce several wines, many are highly allocated and many are just down right impossible to get but I’ll get to that later. The following 6 wines came into the State:
Three Clones St Helena Cabernet, 2017.
Diamond Mt District Cabernet, 2015.
St Helena Reserve Cabernet 2014.
Napa Valley Cab Franc 2016.
Napa Valley Dusty Red blend 2017.
Napa Valley Merlot 2013.
I was fortunate to secure the following wines to review.
Gibbs Merlot 2013- Money Road Vineyards, Oakville.
Let’s start with the bad news first, the grapes for this Merlot came from a contract grower, who decided after the 2015 vintage to replace the vines with Cabernet. The good news is, we secured 9 bottles only of the 2013, the last in existence I dare say and yes, it’s definitely worth drinking.
Nose in intriguing with black cherries and plums dominating with a hint of violets (no doubt from the Petite Verdot added) and green leaf. Really welcoming on the palate with layers of dark cherries and plums with secondary notes of chocolate, cooking spices, tobacco and vanilla. This is 100% all Napa with obvious softer Merlot characteristics evident with some back bone added into the mix from the Petite Verdot making this a red wine drinkers Merlot. Fine Dusty Tannins evident. Cellar out to 2025 with confidence.
Cabernet Franc 2016 – Coombsville
You are immediately struck by the intensity of the violet and dark fruit aromas on the nose. Intoxicating and seductive to say the least, makes you want to take a sip immediately. The palate delivers on the promise and more. Almost seamless layers of blueberries and violets reach every corner of your mouth with plum, red current and spices underpinning your experience. Absolute delight to drink. Great example of an ‘old school’ Napa style Cab Franc with none of the fruit forward juicy sweet notes that have become evident with other New World Cab Franc’s. Cellar out to 2027 with confidence. Absolute delight to drink.
Diamond Mt District Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
This is one of those wines that immediately impresses and with only 120 cases made and on high allocation, I managed to secure 48 bottles only.
Diamond Mt District AVA is situated in the North West section of Napa (Spring Mt District is just south), higher in altitude than most with volcanic soils and a reputation for producing wines of depth and complexity that will age for decades to come. This is a wonderful example of a high elevation Cabernet with all the structure, body and finesse that you’ve come to expect from a wine of this standing. Enough of the praise, let’s talk about what the wine actually tastes like.
The nose is restrained dark and red fruits but equally convincing that this is going to be an experience to remember. The palate has that WOW factor from the first sip. Layers of blackberries, blueberries and chocolate with secondary notes of cooking herbs, spices, coffee and red current stretching out on a long finish. Massive body and structure with tannins evident. Cellar to 2030 with confidence. Stunning wine, cannot wait to drink it in about 10 years. Pair with any rich meat dish of size and attitude.
Vine to Table 