The best release to date since Chris Phelps first began AD VIVUM in 2007, this 2019 is also one of the best Cabernet Sauvignons we’ve tasted so far of this stellar vintage. And the critics agree as they all have anointed this offering with incredible reviews. This newest offering is made of Clone 191 and 7 and were night-harvested from two small blocks at Sleeping Lady Vineyard in the uppermost western perimeter along the Mayacamas Mountains, with rows oriented southwest-northeast. As Chris explains, “The berries were gently de-stemmed, and fermentation was slow but steady, over three weeks before the free-run wine was drained into new French oak barrels for 20 months of aging.” Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, ‘the deep garnet-purple colored 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Sleeping Lady Vineyard offers up fragrant scents of plum preserves and kirsch with hints of potpourri, stewed black tea and menthol, plus a waft of cast-iron pan. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a taut structure of firm, fine-grained tannins, and bold freshness, supporting the generous black fruit layers, finishing with loads of mineral and red fruit sparks.’ 350 cases were produced.

AD VIVUM was founded by Chris Phelps, the consulting winemaker for Inglenook and founding winemaker at Dominus Estate. The genesis of what would become AD VIVUM dates back to 2005 when Chris Phelps began working with Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Sleeping Lady Vineyard on a purely experimental level. By 2007, he was convinced that the site could produce world-class wine. Lary Bettinelli, the owner of Sleeping Lady, agreed to set aside a small block of vines for Phelps.

Since 2007, Phelps has produced AD VIVUM, his single vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet sourced from the Sleeping Lady Vineyard in Yountville, California.