| Short Description | Elegant Napa Valley Cabernet from Bell Wine Cellars, sourced from Mt. Veeder’s Longtable Vineyard. Crafted from small-berry clone fruit, it offers dense dark berry flavors layered with pine, leather, and spice. Aged in French oak for depth and balance, with supple tannins and a structured finish built for graceful aging. |
|---|
| Long Description | Bell Clone 169 is a focused expression of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, highlighting the precision and nuance that define both this distinctive clone and Bell Wine Cellars’ terroir-driven philosophy. Sourced from select vineyard sites suited to Clone 169, this wine showcases the clone’s signature balance of vibrant fruit, refined structure, and aromatic lift.
Known for producing wines of clarity and elegance, Clone 169 brings forward a spectrum of red and dark fruit character layered with floral notes and subtle spice. Careful vineyard selection and meticulous farming allow the fruit to fully express its site, resulting in a wine that is both expressive and composed.
In the cellar, Bell’s restrained, artisanal approach preserves the integrity of the fruit. Gentle handling, thoughtful fermentation, and aging in French oak contribute depth and texture while maintaining freshness and varietal purity. The result is a Cabernet that marries richness with finesse, offering a seamless integration of fruit, oak, and tannin.
On the palate, expect a harmonious blend of ripe berries, hints of cocoa and baking spice, and a touch of savory complexity. Silky tannins provide structure without weight, leading to a long, polished finish that speaks to both immediate appeal and aging potential.
Bell Clone 169 is a refined yet approachable Cabernet Sauvignon, capturing the essence of Napa Valley with balance, character, and quiet sophistication. |
|---|
| Tasting Notes | Aromas of wild mountain berries and bramble proclaim this to be a classic mountain Cabernet, while hints of pine, sweet leather, vanilla, and Christmas spice add layers to the earthy, complex nose. Dark fruit blankets the palate, while the structured but supple mountain tannins support the finish, indicating the great capacity of this wine to age. While this wine will certainly benefit from more time in bottle, it should respond well to 30 minutes in a decanter if enjoyed soon. |
|---|
| Brand Family Story | Rooted in the Napa Valley and driven by an obsession with terroir, Bell Wine Cellars crafts limited-edition wines that reflect place, varietal and vineyard clone with elegance and balance. Founded by visionary winemaker Anthony Bell in 1991, the winery has grown through deliberate partnerships while staying true to its artisanal ethos. |
|---|
| Aroma List | Wild mountain berries and bramble, hints of pine, sweet leather, vanilla and Christmas spice |
|---|
| Flavor List | Dark fruit, supple mountain tannins |
|---|
| Finish | supported |
|---|