Buoncristiani Family Winery "O.P.C." Napa Valley Red Blend
2015
Buoncristiani Family Winery is a collaboration of three brothers born into a Italian family with a long lineage of winemakers and wine lovers in the Napa Valley. Born and raised in Napa Valley, they grew up working the harvests alongside their dad in the vineyards where they learned how to tend the vines and craft wine. They perform all aspects of the wine process, enology, viticulture, wine production, and art design in pursuing their winemaking passion.
Buoncristiani source grapes from some of Napa’s most prestigious vineyards including Hyde,
Stagecoach, Hossfeld and Bennett, managing
small vineyards lots. They handcraft their limited production wines in The Caves at Soda Canyon, a cooperative Cave Winery above
the famed Stags Leap District overlooking the Napa Valley.
The Caves at Soda Canyon were founded by the owners of its winery
partners: Henry and Olga Patland of Patland Estate Vineyards. Ryan and
Crystal Waugh of Waugh Cellars. The four Buoncristiani brothers of Buoncristiani Family Winery. Randy and Krys Wulff of Lobo Wines.
Today The Caves are quickly becoming one of the most popular
destinations in Napa Valley for wine lovers who are looking for quality
wine, quality people and quality experiences.
All four families who call The Caves at Soda Canyon their home are first
generation winemakers with a
commitment to family first and to quality
winemaking.
Besides this Red Blend, they also produce a Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah reds, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc whites, and a Rosé of Syrah & Malbec.
Robert Parker Jr. says, "One of my favorite under-the-radar wineries is Buoncristiani."
Matt Buoncristiani, Co-Founder/Managing Partner received his BS degree from St. Mary's College in Moraga, California and a Masters at University of Pennsylvania. He traveled home to Napa on the weekends to make wine during the harvest season. After three years working in the medical field, he went off to Florence, Italy where he studied language, wine, and "la dolce vita"! He returned to the Napa Valley in 1999 and worked in wine production at Rudd Estate Winery in Oakville for more than five years before becoming the Cellar Master at Caldwell Winery. In 2009 he join his brothers to establish Buoncristiani Family Winery where he serves as Managing Partner.
Jay Buoncristiani is a Co-Founder and serves as Winemaker. He received a BS degree from Santa Clara University in Chemistry, Biology, and Physics in 1996. After graduation he returned home to Napa Valley and took on Enologist duties at The Hess Collection Winery becoming Winemaker, serving until 2005 before joining brother Matt at Buoncristiani.He also serves as Consulting Winemaker for a select few additional wineries including Krupp Brothers, Hollywood Classic, JKL, Remridg, and Patland.
Jay’s wines have earned high marks, garnering a multitude of wine scores in the 90s, # 25 in the Top 100 wines of the world from Wine Enthusiast, and a 97 point rated wine from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate where Parker called Jay’s wine “truly magnificent.” He was named “Rising Star of Napa Cabernet” by Wine Spectator.Nate Buoncristiani is General Partner, graduated from Chico State University with a degree in Marketing. He studied abroad in Northern Italy where he collaborated in marketing, wine production, sales, product placement, and website design. Returning to Napa, he spent time working at Caldwell, Rudd, and Black Stallion in cellar production. Nate now focuses on wine sales and marketing for Buoncristiani.
Buoncristiani Family Winery "O.P.C." Napa Valley Red Blend 2015
This was rated 93 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and Jeb Dunnuck. It is a blend of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Syrah, 20% Malbec and 14% Merlot. It was was aged in French oak barrels for 20 months and bottled in June of 2017.
Deep garnet-purple color, full-bodied, complex but balanced black cherry and blackberry fruits with hints of violets, mocha chocolate, black tea and anise with soft, round tannins and an expressive long and spicy finish.
RM 90 points.
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