Robert Skalli is the founder of St. Supéry Estate. Fourth-generation vigneron that was and is very big in the history of wine. The Skalli story begins in Algeria, near Oran, in the 1930s with Robert-Elie Skalli. The Skalli’s were considered ‘pieds noirs’ (slang for born in France) French vineyardists, who first came to Algeria after phylloxera devastated French vineyards in 1870. In those days, Algeria became the primary supplier of wine to France, with close to a million acres of vineyards. By 1938 the Skalli Family was one of Europe’s largest producers of cereal products and wine with over 600,000 acres of vineyards. |
|
The Algerian war of independence eventually caused the ‘pieds noirs’ to leave and return to Europe. The Skalli family relocated to the Languedoc region of southern France in 1964. Robert Skalli took over the family’s food and wine conglomerate in 1975. In the 70s, the reputation for Southern French wines was not good. The Government paid incentives to rip out vineyards, and the wine they did produce was considered jug wines for mass consumption. In 1977, Robert traveled to California to study with some of the state’s top winemakers and was deeply influenced by Robert Mondavi’s pioneering production of varietal wines. He brought these new world production ideas back to the Languedoc. He was instrumental in tearing up inferior vines and replanting their vineyards with well-known, in-demand grapes; Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay. The goal was to produce clean, sound wines with varietal names on the label at very affordable prices. French tradition dictates that wine be named after its region of origin instead of the grapes from which it was made. But Skalli named his wines in the New World way by its varietal grape. By the end of the 1980s, Skalli produced 600,000 cases of varietal wine under his label of Fortant. |
|
“In the early 1970s, Robert Mondavi intrigued me with the beautiful varietal wines his winery and others were produced in the Napa Valley. It sparked an idea and a love for the uniqueness of this place. I spent the next eight years searching for the ideal property to plant and found our family’s Estate Vineyards in Napa Valley. My vision was to draw on my family’s winemaking history in Europe, incorporating new techniques and philosophies, and establish varietal vineyards and a winery in the best possible location in the Valley.” Robert Skalli
|
|
Robert began looking for Napa Valley land to expand his vineyards, and in 1982 Skalli purchased the Dollarhide Ranch in Pope Valley for $3 million, back when a million dollars was real money. A cattle and horse ranch that dates back to the late 1800s. Dollarhide is a 1,531-acre property with steep and rolling hills, some flatlands, seven lakes, and plenty of wildlife. By 1986, Skalli’s new World vineyards were producing a limited supply of wine. The Dollarhide Ranch later became the St. Supery Vineyards & Winery. He also purchased 56 acres in Rutherford, where the winery was built and still stands today, next to the historic Atkinson Anne Victorian, a pearl of history unchanged for 140 years. Incidentally, the giant oak tree that grows near the house is estimated to be over 220 years old. The first vintage of St. Supéry was released in 1989. |
|
Today, the Dollarhide Ranch is planted with 500 acres of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, with several other Bordeaux varieties and a small parcel of Chardonnay. Ranging from 600 to 1100 feet above sea level, with a wealth of different soil types, the variance of the property’s terroir provides different flavor profiles in each block, allowing for complexity in the final blends. The ranch also is planted to over 1,200 fruit trees, including many lining the ranch’s primary dirt access road. Seven small lakes on-site provide the water needed for the vines. The smaller Rutherford property is planted to the Bordeaux varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. |
|
Their Rutherford estate property is small by comparison but breathtaking non the less. 56 acres which include 35 acres of vines surrounding the winery and hospitality center. Visitors to the estate will notice a mostly edible landscaping garden in front of the winery. This was created by landscape artist Topher Delaney (known for her gardens in the San Francisco Bay Area and worldwide). The fruit trees growing here are a nod to the extensive collection of fruit trees growing out at Dollarhide Ranch. |
|
The Skalli Family Wines in 2015 sold St. Supery Vineyards and Estates to privately-owned Chanel Inc., a world-famous French luxury group. Forbes estimates the firm’s owners, Alain, and Gérard Wertheimer, to have a net worth of $9.6 billion each which makes them each tied for the ranking of the seventh-richest person in France. They like fine wine and would explain why they purchased Château Rauzan-Ségla in Margaux in 1994 and Château Canon in St.-Emilion two years later. To their credit, the Wertheimer Brothers realized that St. Supery would not be where it is today if not for the vision of Robert Skalli and continued in that vision with CEO Emma Swain since 2009 and Head of Winemaking Michael Scholz since 1996. It’s easy to see they are responsible for St. Supery’s high level of excellence and great value. |
|
St Supery is committed to producing the highest quality estate wines without compromise, no matter the cost. St. Supéry Estate Winery and Vineyards is proud to be certified Napa Green Land and Napa Green Winery. With St. Supéry’s reputation based on its valuable Napa Valley properties, a primary goal is to support biodiversity and sustainability while continuing the founding vision of a Napa Valley chateau. Two-thirds of the winery’s land is left in its natural habitat—lakes for irrigation, power array installed on the wineries rooftop that supplies 80% of their needs. Bird boxes and Owl boxes are crucial for combating destructive insects and rodents. Compost is made from the tons of pomace leftover after each harvest and brought to Dollarhide to compost over winter to be returned to the vineyards as organic soil builders. Bottles are made from recycled glass, and paper goods come from recycled sources also. They even invested in new technology using high-pressure-flow barrel washers that have reduced their water use by half. Ownership even offers incentives to employees to carpool to work, of which 65% use. |
|
St Supery’s massive efforts in green business were recognized in 2018 when they were awarded California’s Green Medal winner. Each year, as part of the Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards, a panel of leading wine and sustainability experts presents medals in four categories, including Environment, Community, Business, and Leader. There’s only one winner for the state in each category, which made receiving the Environment award an incredible achievement. Think of it, of all the wineries jumping on the green bandwagon, and St Supery is awarded as being the best in California. |
|
The 2018 growing season started with a relatively mild winter and spring. There was some decent rain in early and mid-January, almost none in February, and a fair amount in March and April which filled up our lakes and kicked off the growing season. With a warm July markedly cooler temperatures in August with no heat spikes, the weather remained ideal through September and October. There was a little rain in early October, but warm weather and dry breezes followed, allowing the grapes to hang on the vines longer and further develop their flavors. Harvest continued through November because of the ideal weather enabling the fruit to stay on the vine with no pressure from Mother Nature. The quality of the fruit was terrific, and the resulting wines show tremendous promise. |
|
Opulent purple and red hues are present in this wine. Cassis, black plum, and anise aromas combine with subtle vanilla from the toasted oak. Juicy blackberry and black currant flavors mingle with black licorice, espresso, and toasted oak in this structured yet elegant cabernet sauvignon with velvety tannins. 10% French Oak, 22% new for 20 months
Blend: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, 2% Merlot
|
|
A very pretty cabernet now with currant, chocolate, and mahogany aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied and layered with soft, creamy-textured tannin that gives it form and interest. Hard not to drink now. James Suckling 92 pts
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is solid, offering a forward, blue-fruited, medium-bodied, moderately complex style with rock-solid purity of fruit, nicely integrated tannins, and a clean, lengthy finish. Enjoy this well-made, classic, varietal Cabernet over the coming 5-7 years. Jeb Dunnuck 90 pts
|
|
St. Supery Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
I got to say; I had forgotten how good this wine is. It has always been a classic Napa Cabernet created in a time when money was no object, and because of those early investments, I’m not sure you could create this estate wine today and keep this price point. When we tasted it, the common words we used were elegant and balanced. Elegant dark fruit and cassis nose, smooth, balanced fruit on the palate with a hint of spice and mint, and an exceptionally long dark cherry finish. Balanced acids and tannins but not overpowering. I was reminded how well this wine did in-store tastings because it seemed so natural and perfect in its balance. If I had to pick a favorite complement for this wine, it would be a roaring fire and fuzzy slippers. Any way you cut it, this is a fabulous wine at a great price. Enjoy!
|
|
|
*Sale price is on 3 or more bottles, wine is packed in a 12 bottle case |
|
Orders must be done by replying to this email. The reason is that I need to keep control of the inventory in one central spot. Emailing or calling your favorite wine geek at one of our four stores may not get your orders in on time to be counted or processed and creates a helter-skelter for us to get you the wine. For the same reason, ordering on our online Web Store is linked to our regular price, and this sale price is only offered on the email platform. It is also why it takes me some time to respond due to the deluge of orders that I sometimes get. We haven't reached the efficiency or volume of Amazon yet, and in this pandemic environment, simply operations sometimes prove difficult. Thank you in advance for your patience. |
|
Let me know your preferred store for pickup: Attleboro, Norwood, Sturbridge, or Swansea. If you don't state the store, I will assume you are picking up in Sturbridge.
Place your order now while you've got everything in front of you. Reply to this email along with your name and which store you want to pick it up.
I will confirm your order via email when it is ready for pickup. Please give us at least 48 hours to respond. Stay well, cheers!
—John Hannum, Fine & Rare Wine Specialist
|
|
Monday-Thursday
9AM to 9PM
|
|
Friday-Saturday
9AM to 10PM
|
|
|
We reserve the right to limit quantities. You must be at least 21 years of age to purchase/consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly. Not responsible for typographical errors. Rebate quantities are subject to limitation by the manufacturer. These alcoholic beverages may be subject to payment of Connecticut or Rhode Island Alcoholic Beverage Tax and Connecticut Use Tax, and may be subject to seizure as contraband. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
