Dark, ruby red wine of extraordinary complexity. The uniqueness of this wine can be attributed to the conditions found only on Atlas Peak, including the rich volcanic soil indigenous to this part of the Napa Valley and a distinctive microclimate located at an altitude of 1500 Feet. The result is a wine with an intense yet delicate nose, rich, satisfying mouth feel, a pleasant finish with just the right amount of tannin, and the promise of a long aging.
Silver Medal, The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Specs
Winery Retail Price: $135.00
Average Shipping: $18.00
Woot Shipping: (-$5.00)
Total MSRP: $148.00
One day when Carlo Di Ruocco was eleven years old growing up in his village in Italy, his uncle Giovanni lowered him into a huge oakwood wine cask to clean it. While he was inside, scrubbing and brushing the walls, the powerful aromas of fermentation and aged wood created in him a sense of ecstasy he has never forgotten. In that moment his ARDENT passion for red wine was born. The selected grapes used in this wine were grown at his vineyard off Atlas Peak Road in the Napa Valley, at an altitude of 350 meters. The wine was aged for 18 months in 225-liter French oakwood barrels. The result yielded 1050 cases of 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon wine.
Wine Maker: Philippe Melka
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Harvest dates: October 8 - October 30
Age of Vines: 11
Fermentation: 12 to 30 days
Alcohol Level: 13%
pH Level: 3.69
Residual Sugar Level: Dry
Acid Level: 0.58 grams/100 mls
Aging Process: 18 months in small French oak barrels
Barrels: 100% new French oak
Specs
Winery Retail Price: $135.00
Average Shipping: $18.00
Woot Shipping: (-$5.00)
Total MSRP: $148.00
One day when Carlo Di Ruocco was eleven years old growing up in his village in Italy, his uncle Giovanni lowered him into a huge oakwood wine cask to clean it. While he was inside, scrubbing and brushing the walls, the powerful aromas of fermentation and aged wood created in him a sense of ecstasy he has never forgotten. In that moment his ARDENT passion for red wine was born. The selected grapes used in this wine were grown at his vineyard off Atlas Peak Road in the Napa Valley, at an altitude of 350 meters. The wine was aged for 18 months in 225-liter French oakwood barrels. The result yielded 1050 cases of 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon wine.
Wine Maker: Philippe Melka
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Harvest dates: October 8 - October 30
Age of Vines: 11
Fermentation: 12 to 30 days
Alcohol Level: 13%
pH Level: 3.69
Residual Sugar Level: Dry
Acid Level: 0.58 grams/100 mls
Aging Process: 18 months in small French oak barrels
Barrels: 100% new French oak
Vendor Details
Ardente Estate Winery
Founded:
1996
Owners:
Carlo and Marie Francoise Di Ruocco
Location:
Atlas Peak, CA
Ardente Estate Winery was founded in 1996 on a twenty acre estate located in the quiet hills of Atlas Peak in Napa Valley. The area was selected for its rich volcanic soil, 1500 feet elevation and moderate microclimate which provide perfect condition for growing high quality Cabernet Sauvignon. Our wines are hand-crafted and aged to be enjoyed upon release, with a depth of flavor, great acidity and a promise of a long aging.
Carlo and Marie Francoise Di Ruocco founded Mr. Espresso, a specialty coffee roaster in 1978. In 1992, Carlo and Marie Francoise were looking for a house in the Napa Valley for their retirement. After many months of searching they found a 20 - acre estate with five acres of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, tucked away in the quiet hills of Atlas Peak in Napa Valley. From the very beginning, they knew that there was something special about this place.
The warm arid climate and rocky, mountainous terrain was reminiscent of Carlo's home in Italy. The rich volcanic soil, 1500 - foot altitude, and more moderate micro-climate provided the perfect conditions for growing high quality Cabernet grapes. Over time, Carlo and Marie Francoise slowly transformed this land to produce top quality Cabernet Sauvignon, traveling several times to France and Italy to research production and equipment. They worked with many different growers and enologists in the Napa Valley until the perfect combination could be achieved. They decided on a French style Cabernet Sauvignon, inspired by the wines from the Medoc area. They planted an additional seven acres of Merlot, and one acre of Cabernet Franc.
The first vintage of estate Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted by Phillipe Melka, in 1996 and released in 2000.