The Philosophy

“Wines, like people, are a reflection of their origin and evolution. By selecting three different vineyards with three different expressions of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and beginning this vintage, Cabernet Franc, the Debate seeks to point out the diversity of terroir that is shown in each of these wines. The Debate defines the notion of terroir as the interaction of a climate, a soil and a plant in a unique location. Vines, like people, develop character from its surroundings and upbringing. Each of these wines will possess their own personality and reflect the different facets from its place in the world.”

Enjoy the Conversation

Like the wines themselves, larger-than-life Frenchman Jean Hoefliger is the winemaking consultant behind the small quantities of The Debate, where he has partnered with Mayacama member Rob McKay. Mayacama began to offer the incredibly successful 2013 vintage and has been offering the Debate ever since.

This year, the Debate has added a three-pack combo of Cabernet Franc to their Cabernet Sauvignon combo, each made from 100% of the varietal, all vinified exactly the same, the only difference is the three different vineyards/appellations. It is up to you to decide how terroir affects the personality of a wine. Enjoy, discuss, debate.

The Wine

Cabernet Franc 3 Pack Combos

2017 Cabernet Franc Beckstoffer To Kalon
Oakville AVA, a warm site but morning fog and late afternoon sun that sets behind the Mayacamas Mountains protect the natural acidity. Approximately 60% loam and 40% clay soils with row orientation close together to promote competition for nutrients that produce smaller, more concentrated berries. The wine is structured with granular tannins.

The wine shows a fresh, fruit entrance evolving on a structured mid-palate with lingering dark fruit and acidity like star fruit, elderberries and plums.

2017 Cabernet Franc Sleeping Lady Vineyard
Yountville AVA closet in proximity to the Bay, so it’s a cooler site. Alluvial soils from the Mayacamas Mountain Bench, the vineyard is located west of Highway 29 with an East to West vineyard orientation and slightly sloped for drainage. The wine is elegant and balanced with concentration.

On the palate, the wine enters with fresh fruit evolving with nice acidity and a mid-palate that lingers on granular, ripe tannins, with touches of boysenberry, lilac and chocolate.

2017 Cabernet Franc Stagecoach Vineyard
Located on Pritchard Hill, at 1500 feet above the fog line this cool site with excellent air circulation creates perfect small berries with mountain-side ripening. Volcanic, rocky and iron rich soil give the wine Intensity and power with great acidity.

A big entrance evolving on a fresh mid-palate with freshly picked black fruit, lingering on fruit pits and volcanic rocks.

Cabernet Sauvignon 3-Pack Combos

2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Artalade Vineyard
Located on Pritchard Hill at 1100 feet, the soils are volcanic and metamorphic rock with red and yellow iron with a hint of clay. The wine shows a cross among structure, force and charm and the volcanic soil brings the frame and lushness and depth.

The wine is a Very deep purple-black with expressive notes of warm red and black currants, black forest cake and lavender with nuances of dried herbs. On the finish there is an underbrush and pencil lead plus a waft of cloves. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm, fine grained texture and lovely freshness supporting the red and black fruits, finishing long with a compelling hint of minerality.

2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Denali Vineyard
Located in the St. Helena AVA at 500 feet in altitude with weathered volcanic rock and gravelly loam soils. The warmest and earliest ripening Cabernet Sauvignon site has a beautiful terraced vineyard which produces small, concentrated berries with great balance between jamminess and depth.

Very deep purple-black in color, the 2017, the wine has a provocative nose of baked black currants, plum preserves and spice cake with hints of bouquet garni, cast iron pan, tree bark and tar. Full-bodied, rich and densely packed with warm, seductive fruit, it has a racy line of freshness lifting the long, chewy finish.

2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Sacrashe Vineyard
Located in the Rutherford AVA at 800 feet with volcanic rock, silt loam and gravelly, shattered rhyolitic tuff. The minerality and freshness translate distinctly into the wine and bring a fantastic backbone with high density and power.

Very deep purple-black colored, the Sacrashe vineyard sings of black cherry compote, wild blueberries, kirsch and cassis. Nuances of raspberry leaves, fragrant soil, violets and unsmoked cigars plus a waft of cedar chest, full-bodied, firm and grainy with lively freshness and loads of earthy sparks. The wine finishes long with fantastic freshness.

The Offer

The Debate wines come in a beautifully presented three pack with one wine from each vineyard. Order early while supplies last.

Cabernet Franc 3-Pack: $525
In stock

Cabernet Sauvignon 3-Pack: $595
Presale: Available 9/1/20