Napa Cabernet character meets Japanese culinary finesse ―― An inspired wine that combines power with elegance.McKenzie-Mueller Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Release for Japan 2017Village Cellars in collaboration with McKenzie-Mueller Vineyards and Winery, a premium boutique producer in the Napa Valley, are pleased to announce the release of a new Napa Cabernet that has been crafted with Japanese food culture and tastes in mind. When Samantha Mueller, the daughter of the founders and current CEO of Mackenzie-Mueller visited Japan for the first time in 2016, she was so inspired by the food that she asked us if we could create a Napa Cabernet that would go well with Japanese cuisine and the Japanese climate. This exclusive Limited Release for Japan is the result. McKenzie-Mueller, best known for its ‘Napa Jazz,’ is a family-owned winery with ‘a passion for tending every single vine and handcrafting every drop of wine,’ producing just 1,500 - 2,500 cases each year from 18 hectares of vineyards. Samantha and her father Bob, who worked as an oenologist for Mondavi in the 1980s, went through many rounds of blending of the 2017 barrels to create a wine that combines elegance and structure while showcasing the Mackenzie-Mueller character from their high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon. The price enabled by the exclusive release is also very attractive. We hope you’ll try it. Q&A with Samantha on the Japan-exclusive Cabernet SauvignonQ: How does it differ from the regular McKenzie-Mueller Cabernet Sauvignon?―― There is more Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and a very small amount of Merlot in the blend. It leans a little more into the fruitiness than our regular Cabernet Sauvignon, and you'll find a little more oak because we use a touch more of new oak. It is very important that this wine not only has the power that is typical of Napa, but also the elegance to match with Japanese food. It is unfiltered, has good acidity, a rich mouthfeel, a firm structure, and excellent aging potential. We were able to achieve this with our low-intervention vinification techniques, which is a key part of McKenzie-Mueller winemaking philosophy.Q: Where do the differences in style come from?―― It’s the difference in vineyard sites. The Cabernet is made in lots each year according to the vineyard site. Different parts of our vineyard have different Cabernet Sauvignon clones & rootstocks, and this translates into different ripeness at picking, and different flavour profiles. Some lots will be more earthy, while others, like the lots used for the Limited Japan-exclusive Cabernet Sauvignon, will be more fruit forward.Q： Why are McKenzie-Mueller reds aged for 36 months in barrel?―― We have always been partial to more aged wines. We find the additional time for our unfiltered wines allows the wine to be more stable in colour, flavour and aromatics. Also, aging allows extra time for sediment to drop-out and be the clearest wine possible without filtration. We have also found that the oak is more neatly integrated and achieve a dept h of flavor which we wouldn’t if barrel aging is shorter. We understand this would be an unusual business decision, especially these days, but we can afford to take the risk and do this as we have been established in the Na pa Valley for a long time. It’s all about trying to make the best wine we can make.Q: What was the 2017 harvest like?――The 2017 vintage was a fantastic season for our Bordeaux varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The fruit had depth of flavour and colour, and the richness was already apparent before it went into the barrel.Q: What is the connection between this wine and the music that can be seen on the Napa Jazz label?―― Music has always been in our lives. Bob still has his vinyl collection from his days growing up through the golden years of rock and roll. As children we were always exposed to music growing up, and my husband, Max Bonick, a recent addition to the family, is a professional jazz musician in the Napa Valley!CODE 11710McKenzie-Mueller Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Release for Japan 2017RRP￥5,800Region: Napa Valley, CaliforniaGrape Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon 81.2% / Cabernet Franc 18% / Merlot 0.8%Vineyards: Robert Mueller Vineyards in Los Carneros and Oak KnollVines: 25+ years oldHarvest: October 3, 5, 6, 2017 (hand-picked)Aging: 36 months in 100% French oak barrels (both new and old)Bottling: July 31, 2020 (unfiltered) Alc. 15.1% Production: 351 dozenWe also have some initial tasting comments―― Not like Napa in a good way. Elegant and very well made. (Sommelier, Steak House, Shibuya, Tokyo)―― Strong acidity with silky integration of the beautiful red and purple fruit. The tannins aren’t fully integrated yet, and if you let it sit for 1-2 years it will be a great wine. If it you want to age it in the cellar, store it at a slightly higher temperature so it will mature and reach a good drinking age early on. (Sommelier, French restaurant, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture)