NAPA ROCKS
AD VIVUM is a single-vineyard, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon crafted by Chris Phelps, a long-time Napa Valley winemaker who has earned a reputation for his ability to consistently produce outstanding and unique wines that honestly reflect the terroir of their vineyard origin.
Chris Phelps story began with a 16-month sojourn in Bordeaux, which began with a year at the Institute of Enology. He met Christian Moueix, who persuaded him to stay on to manage the 1982 harvest at Château des Laurets, in the Puisseguin-St. Emilion district of Bordeaux. It was during this trial-by-fire experience that Chris met his mentor, the brilliant Jean-Claude Berrouet, who served for 44 years as the winemaker of Chateau Pétrus. To this day, Chris still credits much of his inspiration as a winemaker and his solid understanding of the technical challenges of the winemaking craft to Berrouet’s tutelage.
Upon returning to Napa Valley, Chris spent twelve years as winemaker at Dominus, as part of the Berrouet-Moueix team. He considers the 1991 and 1994 vintages to be among the greatest wines he has helped to create. He then spent seven years at Caymus Vineyards, managing all red winemaking from 1999 through 2002. Swanson Vineyards then persuaded him to join them as winemaker for 12 years, setting the stage for that winery’s current renaissance. Chris, who lives with his family in St. Helena, continues to shape wines of great balance, refined texture and singular aromatic and flavour profiles that evoke their place of origin.
Ad Vivum – 3 pack Vertical case – one vintage of 2016, 2017 & 2018
$900 per case – 20 available.
2016 Ad Vivum Cabernet Sauvignon – “Sleeping Lady” Napa Valley.
94-96 Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.
“A barrel sample produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon coming from the Sleeping Lady Vineyard in Yountville, 56% from Clone 7 and 44% from Clone 191, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Sleeping Lady Vineyard gives up vibrant black currant, blackberries and violets notions with hints of black soil, roses and cigar box. The palate is full-bodied and concentrated with firm, grainy tannins and loads of earthy/mineral layers, finishing long and perfumed.” Drink from 2022-2042.
2017 Ad Vivum Cabernet Sauvignon “Sleeping Lady” Napa Valley.
94+ Antonio Galloni
“The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Sleeping Lady Vineyard captures all of the natural richness of the year. Succulent red cherry, plum, mocha, spice and licorice all develop in the glass, but the 2017 is, more than anything else, a wine of volume, textural intensity and darkness. The tannins are a bit coarse, but that is a signature of a year in which severe heat caused some blocking of phenolic maturation.” Vinous Media Antonio Galloni
2018 Ad Vivum Cabernet Sauvignon “Sleeping Lady” Napa Valley.
97+ Robert Parker:
“Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Ad Vivum 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Sleeping Lady Vineyard is deep garnet-purple in color. It leaps from the glass with blackcurrant jelly, warm plums and mulberries notes plus suggestions of black raspberries, roses, tar, anise and fragrant earth. Full-bodied, the palate is very tight-knit, with firm, ripe, grainy tannins and lively acidity supporting the layers upon layers of nuances, finishing very long and wonderfully minerally.”
