2015 Spring Mountain Vineyard Elivette

2015 Spring Mountain Vineyard Elivette

2015 Spring Mountain Vineyard Elivette In the glass, the 2015 Elivette has a beautiful deep ruby color. The bouquet opens with an array of dark and red fruits cassis, blackberry, cherry and mission fig. The primary fruits are complimented garrigue, toffee, and allspice. The entry is broad and round, showing a signature elegance and polished structure up front.

The concentration of the 2015 vintage shows through with pronounced density and power across the mid-palate. The weight is balanced by considerable freshness and life that bring the wine through the finish and help it linger on the palate for several minutes. The fine, supple tannins are approachable now after decanting, and will continue to develop for at least another two decades.

Spring Mountain

The new Spring Mountain Vineyard was once three separate properties each with its own vineyard and winery: Spring Mountain Vineyards (Miravalle) 257 acres, Chateau Chevalier (Chevalier) 120 acres, and Draper Vineyards (La Perla) 435 acres.

The upper most property on the estate, La Perla, was founded in 1873 by Charles Lemme and expanded by the Schilling Spice family. Originally 285 acres it had the first Cabernet Sauvignon planted on Spring Mountain. The old winery remains today along with much of its original equipment and horse drawn carriages and wagons. Immediately below La Perla, and eventually added to it was the first vineyard planted by Fredrick and Jacob Beringer in 1882. These terraced hillsides were planted in a wide assortment of grape varieties to support the Beringer brothers fledgling winery.

Adjoining to the north of the Beringer vineyard was a Frenchman, Fortune Chevalier, whose stone winery, Chateau Chevalier, was making wine in 1891. And finally, next door to Chevalier was Tiburcio Parrott who grew olives, citrus and grapes. Parrott built a grand home on the estate which he named Miravalle.