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66 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } APRIL/MAY 2017 this trade-only event also puts us face-to-face with some of the country's most important wine buyers and distributors. As a member of the press, I was honored to attend PNV for the first time, and although I couldn't bid on any wines (or take a favorite bottle or two home with me), my journaled notes below further attest to the greatness to come from the stellar '15s. St. Supéry Estate 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon: Winemaker Michael Scholz collaborated with Michel Rolland on this Rutherford gem grown on mineral-rich alluvial soils. Blended with some Merlot and Petit Verdot. Release date: January 2018. Black Stallion Estate Winery 2015 Gaspare Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Oak Knoll District: The unique soils from this vineyard mirror that of the Stags Leap District, according to Senior Brand Manager George MacDonald. But with the longer growing season of Oak Knoll, the wine is ripe and curvaceous, redolent of jasmine and lovely black fruit and well-integrated oak. Estimated release is this coming fall. We're excited! Merus 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley: Primarily grown in Coombsville, this wine is a perfumed treat (with 4% Petit Verdot). The Education Director for Foley Family Estates, Robert Smith, MS, informed us that the growing site is a monopole within the Bennett Vineyard. Gorgeous fruit. Release date is in fall of 2017. William Hill 2015 Red Wine, Napa Valley: A meaty blend of 50% Malbec and 50% Petit Verdot from the winery's estate vine - yard on the Silverado bench. The generous fruit unfolds gracefully. Estimated release is January 2018. Louis M. Martini 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley: One of the original wineries in Napa Valley, created by a founder of the Napa Valley Vintners Association. The fruit is primarily from Howell Mountain with some Petit Verdot blended in from the St. Helena winery estate. Winemaker Michael Eddy has created a rich, dark-fruited beauty. Release date is anticipated for January 2018. Round Pond Estate 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Gravel Series Trilogy, Rutherford: "This is the heart of Rutherford, emo - tionally," said Bob Bath, MS, who accompanied me around the large hall for the barrel tasting. "This winery never tried to be anything they're not," he added. "The wines keep getting better." The Gravel Series refers to the three gravel streak microsites that run through Rutherford and Oakville. Releasing this fall. Lail Vineyards 2015 Henry VII Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley: Refreshing on the palate after some powerful, if terrifically pretty reds, this single-vineyard white off Lail's estate Totem Vineyard in Yountville shows off pineapple and guava at its most tropically fresh point, while pink grapefruit plays second fiddle. Mouthwatering. Releasing in October 2017. Beringer Vineyards 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley: Off the St. Helena estate and from the original historic winery, where winemaker Mark Beringer crafts a most opulent cuvée from distinct lots of the winery's reserve vineyards. Releases October 2018. Franciscan Estate 2015 Petit Verdot, Oakville: We loved meet - ing up with Director of Winemaking Janet Myers, who told us there's 10% Malbec and 10% Merlot in this special red. "Petit Verdot is often too structured," she told me. "But in some years, it's juicy and gives extra body to the wine—2015 is one of those vintages." Violets and black fruit make a rich, round, puckering red-fruited wine, with dusty tannins and a ripe, fresh and meaty middle. Releasing in October 2018. Shafer Vineyards 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sunspot Vineyard, Stags Leap District: The brightness of the acidity and the rich flavors of the dark fruit in this wine reflect the core of what places Shafer's Hillside Select on its much-deserved pedestal. Terra Valentine 2015 H-Bomb Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District: Pure black fruit pops, with tannins as a back - drop. "This vintage was ready to hang longer than expected but we picked earlier for optimum freshness," noted President/Winemaker Linda Reiff, President and Chief Executive Officer for Napa Valley Vintners, with Tonya Pitts, Wine Director/Sommelier at San Francisco's One Market, and Stacey Dolan Capitani, VP/Marketing at Napa Valley Vintners. St. Supéry Winemaker Michael Scholz and winery GM Emma Swain.