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The 2018 Stack House Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 84% Cab, 9% Malbec, 5% Merlot and 2% Cab Franc sourced mainly from AVAs at the cooler end of the Napa Valley, including Yountville (40%), Oak Knoll (22%), and Carneros (16%). (The rest is from vineyards in Pope Valley, Mendocino, and Lake County.) Anna and Mario describe their wine as possessing “a stunning bouquet of blackberries, black cherries, raspberries, crushed volcanic rock, damp earth, toasty oak and baking spice.” It stands out with vibrant acidity and freshness, soft tannins, and a lovely finish. Given the pedigree of the vineyards, the time spent in barrel (32 months), and the tender loving care bestowed by a pair of talented, independent winemakers, it’s a surprise Stack House Cabernet is priced to enjoy often rather than hold back for special occasions.
You might consider going into business with your husband or wife to be a risk, but it helps if one partner’s expertise and passion matches that of the other. And when that “labor of love” is crafting fine wine, there’s a special glass of wine to be shared at the end of each stressful day. Stack House is a label produced as a side project by Anna and Mario Monticelli, both winemakers with viticulture and enology degrees from UC Davis and years of experience in the Napa Valley and Europe. In Anna’s case, after a vintage at Ch. Cheval-Blanc, she went on to work as assistant winemaker at Seavey Vineyard for two years and then Bryant Family Vineyard for five. She has been the winemaker at Piña Napa Valley since 2007. As for Mario, he was born in California to a family that’s been making wine for four generations. His Italian-born father emigrated to California, where he made wine at Gallo for 50 years. Mario worked a harvest in Tuscany at Villa Antinori, and then spent four years as the assistant winemaker for Philippe Melka, a consultant for many Napa Valley wineries. Mario was the winemaker for Quixote Winery before assuming the role of winemaker for Trinchero Napa Valley in 2007. Together the couple produce not only Stackhouse but some wine in Italy under the M.A. Monticelli label. About their venture, Anna and Mario have written, “We believe life should be enjoyed on a daily basis, taking a seat around the table where good food and fine wine are elevated by great company and lively conversation. It all stacks up to a life fulfilled and that's the philosophy that drive Stack House.”
Stack House wines are approachable and easy to enjoy with friends and family. Their 2014 Napa Valley Cabernet was chosen as one of the top three greatest value wines of 2016 by the Wine Advocate.
| Country | USA |
| Region | California |
| Appellation(s) | Napa Valley |
| Winery | Stack House |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Color | Red |
| Varietal(s) | 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Malbec, 5% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc |
| Closure | Cork |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Bottle Size | 7.9 x 30.5 |
| Case Size | 32.5 x 24.5 x 31.5 |
| Alcohol | 14.8% |
| Product Code | ST18NCB |
| UPC | 709870703874 |
92 points – Wine Advocate (2017 vintage).
The nose starts off elegant and subdued with notes of earth, rocks and pepper mixed in with blackberry and black cherry fruit. The palate is ripe and rounded and beautifully textured with fresh acidity and soft tannins.
Aged 32 months in 50% new French Oak.