Caladan
Caladan is a Napa Valley winery dedicated to exploring the elegance and complexity of lesser-known Bordeaux varietals, particularly Cabernet Franc. Led by winemaker Christopher Carpenter, Caladan strives to express the unique character of Napa's mountainous terroir.
Caladan's wines come from four prominent mountain appellations: Spring Mountain District, Howell Mountain, Diamond Mountain District and Mount Veeder. The Yverdon Vineyard on Spring Mountain, located at an altitude of up to 600 metres, is often the base for both Cabernet Franc and Proprietary Red Wine. This location, with its cool climate and sedimentary soils, contributes to the floral and red fruit aromas and fine tannic structure that characterise these wines.
Caladan's approach is flexible; each growing season Carpenter evaluates the quality of the vineyards and chooses the best components for the blend. This philosophy ensures that each vintage reflects the best of the terroir and offers a unique take on Napa Valley's mountain wines.
Caladan's wines are praised for their elegance and complexity. For example, the 2019 Cabernet Franc, a blend with 21% Merlot, shows nuances of red fruit, toasted oak and spice, with a refined tannic structure.
Caladan offers wine lovers a fresh take on Napa Valley's mountain terroir by highlighting the graceful complexity of classic old world varieties. Each bottle is a testament to the craftsmanship and commitment to quality that the winery strives for.
-
Red wineCaladan Cabernet Franc
Read moreThe 2017 Caladan Cabernet Franc is a masterful blend of 77% Cabernet Franc and 23% Merlot, sourced from selected vineyards in Napa Valley, California. The grapes are primarily from the Yverdon Vineyard on Spring Mountain (64%), with additional selections from the Mt. Brave Vineyard on Mount Veeder (27%) and the W.S. Keyes Vineyard on Howell Mountain (9%).
In the glass, this wine presents itself with a deep garnet red colour. The aromatic profile opens with notes of dark cherries, Asian spices and floral hints of rose petals. On the palette, the wine offers a lush texture, with the Cabernet Franc and Merlot blending in perfect harmony. The delicate minerality and refined tannic structure lead to a long, energetic finish.
The wine was aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, 71% of which were new, adding to the complexity and structure without overpowering the fruit expression.
The Caladan Cabernet Franc has great storage potential and will continue to develop over the coming decades. This wine is a perfect companion to refined dishes such as roasted rack of lamb, entrecote with a spicy gravy or game dishes like venison back fillet. It is a sublime reflection of the harmony between man and terroir, and a wine experience that will impress connoisseurs and aficionados alike.
-
Red wineCaladan Proprietary Red
Read moreThe 2018 Caladan Proprietary Red is a carefully crafted blend of 41% Merlot, 25.5% Cabernet Franc, 25.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot. The grapes are mainly from vineyards on Spring Mountain (Yverdon), with additional selections from Howell Mountain (Keyes) and Mount Veeder (Brave).
In the glass, this wine presents itself with a deep garnet-red colour. The aromatic profile reveals layers of black cherry, dark berry, espresso and graphite, complemented by subtle hints of spice and earthy notes.
On the palette, the 2018 Caladan Proprietary Red offers a rich and lush texture, with concentrated flavours of ripe dark fruit, enveloped by firm but refined tannins and lively acidity. The finish is long and layered, with lingering notes of cedar and mineral accents.
The wine has aged in French oak barrels, a significant percentage of which were new, for a period that typically varies between 15 and 18 months. This careful ageing contributes to the wine's structure and complexity, without overpowering the fruit expression.
The 2018 Caladan Proprietary Red has great storage potential and will continue to develop over the coming decades. This wine is a perfect accompaniment to refined dishes such as roasted rack of lamb, entrecote with a spicy gravy or game dishes such as venison back fillet. It is a sublime reflection of the harmony between man and terroir, and a wine experience that will impress connoisseurs and aficionados alike.
