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Envy Wines
Winery
Envy wines are all handcrafted in small productions on the outskirts of Calistoga. Envy started out in 2008 with a delicious Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc and three luscious, layered reds, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Bee Bee’s Blend, and have grown their programs steadily.
Envy Wines is also the home of Vine Haven which is Nils’ own label, as well as vineyard-designated Carter Cellars wines. Carter Cellars was the first collaboration that started in 1998 between Carter and Venge. Nils has had a fabulous career in the wine industry, creating classic, award-winning wines for three decades. In fact Robert Parker, Jr. gave Nil’s Groth Vineyards and Winery 1985 Reserve Cabernet a perfect score of ‘100′ establishing Nils as a fantastic and talented winemaker early in his career. He continues the tradition for Carter Cellars, as Wine Spectator Magazine has recently recognized this wine as one of the top 10 best up and coming Cabernets in California and top wines to buy as well.
Read more about the Vineyards:
The Estate Vineyard:
Under the influence of Mt. Saint Helena, at the northern end of the Napa Valley Floor lies eleven planted acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Merlot vines. These vines are planted in well draining alluvial soil in a east to west row pattern, allowing the grapes to soak up sunshine and develop unique and bright varietal expression that are then lovingly crafted into the wines you know.
The Nord Vineyard:
The Nord Vineyard lies in the Pope Valley, an area in Napa Valley’s northeast corner. Within this idyllic rolling hills vineyard sits several blocks of Petite Sirah vines. There the loamy, non serpentine soils, sunshine and climate similar to Calistoga, come together to actualize grapes that are ideal for big, full-bodied Petite Sirah wines.
The Vaca Mountain Vineyards:
The Vaca Mounitain vineyards lie in Capell Valley, a small mountain valley located in the Napa Valley hills directly east of Oakville. Nestled against Atlas Peak, the vineyard ranges in elevation from 835 to 900 feet. These 35 year old vineyards are planted in a well drained, loamy soil that is riddled with rock and obsidian. The vineyard maturity, soil types and estate farming practices combine to produce exceptional low yielding fruit. The cooler climate provided by the mountain elevation brings on a longer growing season. Therefore, the grapes have an extended hang time on the vine, allowing the sugars to ripen slowly prior to harvest. This produces an outstanding mature fruit, adding character and rich complexity.
Visit the winery at Envy Wines
Wines
Envy Bee Bee’s Blend 2008
Taste the fruit of Envy! This wine is comprised of the three red varietals grown on our estate: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah. The nose wafts of freshly picked berries and toasted hazelnuts. This luscious, full bodied blend begins with strawberry and raspberry essences. Bee Bee’s then slowly spreads to the rest of the pallet revealing depth with hints of blackberry and elderberry. The finish leaves one with a slight vanilla and white pepper spice that will linger until your next sip!
(50% merlot, 40% cabernet and 10% petit sirah): Moderately saturated bright red. Sexy, highly perfumed nose features rose petal, clove oil and exotic flowers. The palate offers a tangy, concentrated core of crushed berry fruit complicated by spices, flowers and a saline quality. Really perfumes the mouth on the long aftertaste, which features very supple tannins. A very attractive blend.
90 points, International Wine Cellar
A great, complex wine for drinking now with roasts and stews. Smoothly tannic, it’s big, yet dry and subtle, showing flavors of blackberries, raspberries and cherries, with a delightful minerality. The sweet finish is long, rich and spicy.
92 points, Wine Enthusiast, September 2011
label / tech sheet / shelf talker
Envy Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Aromas of black currant with notes of cinnamon, anise and toasted walnuts. On the palate dark chocolate, black cherry and plum. Enjoy this Cabernet now through the next 10 years.
Good deep ruby-red. Currant, tobacco and licorice aromas are complicated by cedary oak. Suave and thick on entry, then more medicinal and laid-back in the middle palate, conveying moderate sweetness and a brooding sense of power. Broadens out nicely on the back, finishing with strong tannins and a stony nuance. Plenty of stuffing here, but this will require patience.
90+ points, International Wine Cellar, May/June 2010
label / tech sheet / shelf talker
Envy Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Medium red. Redcurrant, plum and cherry aromas lifted by a floral topnote. Sweet but a bit youthfully clenched, showing attractive aromatic spices but with its fruit in the deep background. Quite tight today but not hard. Finishes with serious tannic clout. This will require some patience.
90+ points, International Wine Cellar, May/June 2010
Classic Calistoga red wine,totally dry, full-bodied and big. Assaults with sweet, ripe sour cherry candy, cola, anise and spice flavors that finish long and lush. Yet it shows a refined tannic structure, and there’s a firm minerality. Could surprise in the cellar after six years, but no guarantees. —S.H.
91 points, Wine Enthusiast, September 2011
label / tech sheet
Envy Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Medium red-ruby. Black cherry and intriguing loamy earth notes on the nose. Sweet, lush and on the soft side, with well-integrated oak and a touch of firming minerality giving shape to the raspberry flavor. A generous and sexy wine, finishing with ripe tannins and very good length. Should give early pleasure.
90-92 points, International Wine Cellar, May/June 2010
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Envy Sauvignon Blanc 2009
A rich, complex Sauvignon Blanc worth the price. You can taste the oak and lees influences in the buttermilk cream and smokiness, but the lemon, lime and white peach flavors really star. S.H.
91 points, Wine Enthusiast
Tropical hints and pineapple on the nose. Fat and nicely concentrated, with a dominant flavor of grapefruit. Fruity and quite dry, finishing with good length. On the simple side but this non-malo sauvignon blanc offers good energy.
88 points, International Wine Cellar
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Envy Petite Sirah Vaca Mountain Napa Valley 2008
(70% aged in American oak): Good deep ruby. Much more vibrant on the nose than the Calistoga PS, offering aromas of blackberry and peppery spices. Very ripe but juicy in the mouth, with brambly crushed berry flavors complicated by mint and spices. A floral element emerges with air, contributing to the wine’s impression of inner-mouth energy. This wine’s firm spine of acidity won’t get in the way of enjoying it soon, but its intense fruit should offer pleasure for at least several years. Reportedly from vines planted in the 1960s.
92 points, International Wine Cellar
Bold and peppery, showing black berry and black cherry flavors, with just the right details of cinnamon, cedar, tobacco, black tea, smoke and vanilla. The tannins are vibrant and thick, but velvety.
89 Points, Wine Spectator
Envy Merlot Calistoga Estate Napa Valley 2009
Slightly reduced aromas of medicinal black fruits and dark chocolate. Sweet and seamless on the palate, with good spine to the flavors of dark fruits, coffee and menthol. This distinctly serious merlot is showing a medicinal reserve today. Finishes with nicely buffered tannins and very good length. “Two thousand nine brought a big crop and moderate grape sugars,” noted co-proprietor Mark Carter.
90-92 points, International Wine Cellar