Selene Wines takes its name from Greek mythology, and more specifically, from the “mother goddess” of the full moon. It’s an apt choice for proprietor/winemaker Mia Klein, who’s one of the mother goddesses of California wine.
Klein started her career at Chappellet alongside another mother goddess, Cathy Corison, and went on to become a sought-after consultant for labels such as Spottswoode, Araujo, and Viader. She started Selene in 1991, with a focus on the Bordeaux varieties that thrive in the loamy, cobble-strewn soils of the Napa Valley, and while Cabernet Sauvignon is certainly part of the mix, Klein’s “Chesler” bottling—which we’re offering at a steal of a price today—is an homage to the great Cabernet Franc-based reds of Bordeaux’s Right Bank. Put your nose in a glass of this wine and you’ll think you’re in one of the pricier precincts of Saint-Émilion, so soulful and spot-on is its sweet-meets-savory Cab Franc character. A wave of red and black fruits meet up with textbook damp clay, tobacco and sage notes in a wine that captures the old-vine concentration of a heritage vineyard site without being overwrought or jammy. It’s what you’d expect from an accomplished winemaker who remembers the Napa Valley of yore, and it’s nice to know that wines of this pedigree, at this price, can still be made in Napa. It’s easily one of the best Napa values we’ve offered all year, and it promises to (over) deliver for many years to come.