The 2019 vintage of this perineal winner waltzes out of the glass with flashy, flamboyant, and ultra-smooth thrills that remind us of prized Cabernets trading for much higher prices. Opulent notes of milk chocolate, walnut brownies, and vanilla oak, with a silky smooth texture. Full-throttle flavors include crème de cassis, blueberry pie, sweet baking spice plus a bold dose of melted caramel perfectly integrated into a decadent and plushy texture.

The Winery

Eleodoro Hernández was only seventeen when he left his family in Mexico’s Michoacan
State to travel north to California’s Napa Valley where he was told he could find work. It
was 1976 and Northern California was in the throes of a gigantic wine bubble that was to
last for the next two and a half decades. Eleodoro quickly took to his new work, first at
the recently opened Flora Springs Estate.

As the years passed, ‘Ele,’ as he had become known, became considered as an expert
grower in Napa Valley. He was a person who had mastered the difficult process of
terraced vineyards, an incredibly important aspect of Napa Valley farming. Just after the turn of the century, Ele Hernández realized a lifelong dream of going into
business for himself when he completed leases on several high quality parcels of land
along Big Ranch Road in Napa Valley. Today, these parcels total 39 acres and have all
been hand planted by Ele himself. It came as no surprise to observers that these
vineyards proved to be superior regarding the fruit produced. The likes of venerated
Caymus Vineyards and Stags’ Leap Winery quickly became customers along with many
others.

In 2006, Ele Hernández took another giant step and began the process of making his
own wines. He called upon his old friend, Rolando Herrera (of Mi Sueño Winery fame
and Michoacan heritage) to help with the first release of less than 100 cases. When the
wine sold out in a short time, the new winery (Noemi Vineyards) was on its way to
prominence.