Saturdays deserve something a little special in my opinion, and Salvestrin Winery in Napa Valley always falls into the special category for me.

Salvestrin is a small, family owned producer which is a rarity anywhere these days, but especially in Napa Valley. It all started in 1932 when Italian immigrants John and Emma Salvestrin purchased the property located right off Highway 29 in St. Helena. Today, the 3rd generation, Rich and Shannon Salvestrin, are at the helm.

The vineyards and the winery are certified Napa Green, but a commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices has been a part of the story since the beginning.

Salvestrin|Retaggio|Red Blend|14.8% ABV|$60

Retaggio is the Italian word for legacy and this wine is an homage to the Salvestrins’ roots and heritage, with the dominant grape being Sangiovese (46%). The remainder of the grapes are: Merlot (29%), Cabernet Sauvignon (15%), and Cabernet Franc (10%). All of the grapes are estate grown and only 600 cases were produced.

Incredibly expressive aromas with notes of black cherry, leather, olive, and a hint of violet, all of which carried over onto the palate. This wine is one that can magically disappear before you even know what happened.

Rich Salvestrin says this is meant to be a high quality table wine with a nod to “old world rusticity” but there is nothing rustic about this wine in my opinion, it is silky smooth and elegant. I would have never guessed it to be nearly 15% ABV. We have paired this wine in the past with pasta dishes and pizza, which were fantastic, but this time we opened it just to sip and enjoy, and we did not regret that decision, it was absolutely beautiful.

Cheers to Saturday!