SITE SERIES
2019 APERTURE NOMAD
If you aren’t yet familiar with Aperture’s Nomad, you will be soon. A very distinct bottling that our winemaking team only makes during exceptional vintages, this is only the third bottling of Nomad since its inaugural 2014 vintage. We blend a unique compilation of grapes coming from Napa Valley vineyards, primarily Sugarloaf Vineyard, to make this special wine.
2019 stands out as one of the greatest vintages in the last decade in California. With early rainfalls, gradual summer heat, and an overall cooler ripening season, the 2019 harvest was remarkable. Spending 22 months in barrel and then an additional 19 months in bottle, this wine has been well worth the wait.
Available in 750ml and 1.5L formats while supplies last
“Only produced in 2014, 2016, and 2019, this may be the best wine I have tried from Aperture. A fully saturated (almost black) red, it’s layered and explosive in its aromas of fresh eucalyptus, black cherry pie, tobacco, leather, and fresh violets. Highly finessed and full-bodied, with a weightless feel and ripe tannins, it lends a haunting layered approach where it is hard to pin down and has a tremendous amount of life to it. This is going to be a fun wine to watch as it develops. Only 209 cases were produced. Drink it over the next 2 or 3 decades.”
100 pts – Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck
“Only made in the best vintages—so far, it’s been crafted in 2014, 2016 and now 2019. From the Sugarloaf Vineyard, the 2019 Nomad is composed of 55% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec and was matured for 22 months in 72% new French oak. Deep ruby, it takes time to unfold from kirsch, dried plum and warm chocolate on the nose to pure wafts of thyme, tobacco, cured meats and lavender. The full-bodied palate is much more giving at this early stage, boasting concentrated, bright red fruit, mouthwatering acidity, loads of powdery tannins and a very long, perfumed finish. Fans of bold, hedonistic Cabernet will love this detailed, expressive iteration.”
97 pts – Erin Brooks, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate
APPELLATION
Napa Valley
BLEND
55% Merlot
33% Cabernet Franc
8% Cabernet Sauvignon
2% Petit Verdot
2% Malbec
BARREL PROGRAM
Aged 22 months
70% new oak
60 gallon French oak barrels
VINEYARD
Sugarloaf was planted on hillsides with rocky soils in the Napa Valley AVA. Situated at an elevation of about 850 feet, the area faces southwest towards San Pablo Bay. The climate is moderately warm with afternoon marine winds cooling the warmer air from the surrounding hillsides.
SOIL TYPE
Hambright rock-outcrop
