Only in his thirties, Ralph Hertelendy is a precocious winemaking talent. He shows the energy of a twenty-something and the wisdom of a sixty-something, all while setting out to compete at the highest level—despite only having crafted his first ‘garage wine’ only a decade ago. It hasn’t all been a one-man show, however. After purchasing Hertelendy’s four-acre estate, Ralph secured Chappellet winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus as his consultant. Their results in just two years have been nothing short of remarkable, and it isn’t limited to the contents of the bottle. Ralph spent just as long designing the label and in a nod to his father who emigrated from Hungary during the onset of World War II, Ralph chose to proudly display their ornate coat of arms on each wine label with a slight American twist. (Side note: If you should ever pick up their Chardonnay bottling, look at the label in a mirror.) 

Hertelendy’s “Rockwell Ridge” estate vineyard sits on an eastern hillside with an elevation of 1,365 feet. It is technically right below the demarcation for Howell Mountain; just 35 feet higher up the slope and it would qualify for the AVA. Along with harvesting their own 23-year-old vines planted in decomposed volcanic soils (tuff), they source fruit from Pritchard Hill, Atlas Peak, and the Silverado Foothills. The five varieties chosen for the final blend—76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 7% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc—were sorted twice and saw a lengthy maceration in order to extract maximum flavor and color. The wine was then aged in 90% new French oak for 23 months. 

In the glass, 2014 Hertelendy Cabernet Sauvignon stays a brooding, impenetrable purple through and through with bright ruby reflections highlighting the rim. What a hedonistic wine: this is built for pleasure-seekers! On the nose, dense and polished black fruits of black cherry, blackberry, cassis, black raspberry and Java plum harmoniously fuse with an array of baking spices, cigar box, star anise and dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine shows the best of both worlds, having the opulence of a Rutherford valley floor wine with a fresh, mineral finish you so often find in Howell Mountain. The immense concentration of black fruits (and a touch of blue) carries into a lingering finish laced with raw cacao, fresh tobacco and turned earth. Thanks to a distinct level of acidity, this wine doesn’t have the overly sweet, treacly finish that can weigh other opulent Napa cabs down. I foresee this wine coming into its own over the next 5-10 years, but due to its ripe and polished style, drinking now will absolutely delight. I recommend a one hour decant and consuming around 60 degrees in large Bordeaux stems. This is a “big night” style of wine for luxurious main-course proteins—it can handle whatever you throw at it, that’s for sure. Enjoy!