St. Supéry Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Full-bodied red wine, crafted in a classic, structured, and age-worthy Napa Valley style. · St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery is a renowned, 100% estate-grown winery located in Rutherford, Napa Valley. Historically known for pioneering estate-only production, the estate was famously owned by the Skalli family before being acquired by the luxury goods house Chanel. St. Supéry focuses heavily on sustainable farming practices, holding Napa Green certifications for both land and winery. Their reputation sits comfortably in the premium-to-luxury tier, celebrated for expressive, terroir-driven Bordeaux varietals.
Vintage: 2007 was widely heralded as an exceptional, classic vintage for Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. A dry winter and warm spring led to early budbreak, followed by a remarkably steady, warm summer without extreme heat spikes, allowing grapes to achieve ideal phenolic ripeness and balance.
Type
Full-bodied red wine, crafted in a classic, structured, and age-worthy Napa Valley style.
Producer
St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery is a renowned, 100% estate-grown winery located in Rutherford, Napa Valley. Historically known for pioneering estate-only production, the estate was famously owned by the Skalli family before being acquired by the luxury goods house Chanel. St. Supéry focuses heavily on sustainable farming practices, holding Napa Green certifications for both land and winery. Their reputation sits comfortably in the premium-to-luxury tier, celebrated for expressive, terroir-driven Bordeaux varietals.
Country
United States. As a leader of the New World wine movement, the US (and California in particular) champions technological innovation in winemaking, varietal labeling, and crafting bold, fruit-forward wines that rival traditional Old World benchmarks.
Vintage
2007 was widely heralded as an exceptional, classic vintage for Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. A dry winter and warm spring led to early budbreak, followed by a remarkably steady, warm summer without extreme heat spikes, allowing grapes to achieve ideal phenolic ripeness and balance.
Region & Appellation
Napa Valley, California, USA, specifically utilizing fruit from the sprawling Dollarhide Ranch estate vineyard located in the northeastern mountains of the Napa Valley AVA.
Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon (predominantly, often with small blending percentages of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, or Merlot to enhance color, aromatics, and structure). Known for small berries, thick skins, and intense black fruit, tannin, and structural profiles.
Color & Appearance
Deep, opaque ruby core with a subtle garnet rim showing maturity. High viscosity with slow-moving, thick legs staining the glass, indicating a wine of notable concentration, extract, and alcohol.
Aroma Profile
Intense and complex bouquet featuring primary aromas of ripe black cherry, cassis, and blackberry, layered with secondary and tertiary aging notes of cedarwood, graphite, cigar box, mocha, and subtle earthy forest floor.
Tasting Notes
A powerful and harmonious palate entry delivering a rich core of dark fruit, seamlessly transitioning through a velvety mid-palate infused with espresso and baking spices. The finish is impressively long, structured, and persistent, leaving lingering impressions of sweet tobacco and fine minerals.
Flavor Profile
Dominated by blackberry compote, black currant, and juicy plum, complemented by non-fruit layers of dark chocolate, crushed gravel, dried sage, integrated French oak spice, and a hint of sweet vanilla.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a rich, opulent, yet refined mouthfeel. The texture is luxuriously plush and velvety, supported by dense, concentrated extract that coats the palate without feeling heavy.
Acidity & Tannins
Medium-plus acidity provides refreshing lift against the rich fruit profile. Tannins are substantial yet remarkably fine-grained, resolved, and velvety smooth due to years of optimal bottle aging.
Sweetness Level
Dry, with fully fermented sugars, though the illusion of natural fruit sweetness is prominent due to exceptional ripeness.
Alcohol Content
Approximately 14.5% ABV, typical for a powerful, sun-drenched Napa Valley mountain-origin Cabernet Sauvignon, adding generous warmth and weight to the frame.
Aging & Oak
Aged extensively in 100% French oak barrels (a significant portion new) for roughly 18 to 22 months, followed by prolonged bottle aging prior to commercial release, imparting sophisticated notes of toast, clove, and cedar.
Food Pairings
Ideal with prime ribeye steak, rack of lamb with herb crust, venison, braised short ribs, and aged artisanal hard cheeses like mature Cheddar or Gouda. The high tannin and bold structure cut effortlessly through rich animal fats and proteins.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 60-65°F (15-18°C) in a large Bordeaux glass. Decanting for 1 to 2 hours is recommended to allow the mature tertiary aromas to fully open up. Drinking window is prime right now.
Price Range
Estimated retail price range between $90 to $130 USD, representing fair to strong value for a well-cellared, estate-grown Napa Valley mountain Cabernet Sauvignon of this age.
Quality Assessment
Rated around 92-94 points by major critics, placing it firmly in the super-premium tier. It showcases exceptional consistency, complexity, and longevity, standing as a stellar testament to the 2007 Napa vintage.
Production Methods
Hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, destemmed and meticulously sorted. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with regular pump-overs for color and tannin extraction, followed by native and inoculated malolactic fermentation in barrel.
Terroir
The Dollarhide Ranch vineyard is a diverse, warm-climate site characterized by rocky, volcanic soils, undulating hills, and microclimates that experience significant diurnal temperature shifts, allowing grapes to retain vital acidity alongside rich phenolic ripeness.
History & Heritage
St. Supéry was established in the late 20th century, building upon historic land grants in Napa Valley originally planted to vines in the 19th century. They became one of the foremost champions of 100% estate-grown winemaking in the region.
Interesting Facts
The Dollarhide estate is a massive 1,500-acre property where only a fraction is planted to vines, leaving the vast majority untouched to preserve the natural wildlife corridors, lakes, and oak woodlands.
Cellaring Potential
Having reached its plateau of maturity, this 2007 vintage is in an ideal drinking window now through 2028. Store horizontally in a temperature-controlled cellar at 55°F (13°C) to preserve its delicate secondary and tertiary complexity.
Similar Wines
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis, Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon.