I was wholly unaware of the 100% single varietal Napa reds from Component Wine, from 19th century “heritage” vineyards, until this tasting. I read the press release below where I learned about the challenges from the weather that winemaker Marc Gagnon faced in 2022 and that Gagnon is also the Co-Founder & Director of Winemaking for the Fraîche Wine Group. Component Wine Co. and the Fraîche Wine Group were founded by Michael Kennedy, @WineByMichael on Instagram. I also found a March 2023 Decanter Magazine article by Jillian Dara on the Gagnon Kennedy collaboration here.
For the task of tasting three wines, I enlisted good friends and fellow wine bloggers Steve and Vashti Roebuck. (Truth be told I have yet to meet anyone better than Steve for wine tasting notes, which I’ve taken and shared below with his permission, noted as SR.) Any of the notes we both found are in italics. I also opened all three an hour before our guests arrived, to decide if I wanted to decant, all were – surprisingly – ready to drink so I put their corks back in.
2022 Cabernet Sauvignon
Caldwell Vineyard, 14.6% alcohol
The wine had a rich bouquet of boysenberries, blackberries, cassis fruit, cedar, eucalyptus, mint, star anise, dried sage, roasted coffee, and chocolate. It was full-bodied with rounded tannins that gripped the palate with hints of dark berry fruits, dried herbs, soft tobacco, dusty silt, tar, charcoal, chocolate, and a soft touch of caramel. The wine had a nice level of acidity that gave balance to complex layers of dark berry fruits and supple terroir notes. The wine is approachable now but should age nicely for the next decade for those with the patience to cellar it. – SR
2022 Cabernet Franc
Hendry and Samuel Brannan Vineyards, 14.6% alcohol
The wine had an intriguing bouquet of black cherries, black raspberries, red currants, soft white pepper, a touch of jalapeno pepper, pine nuts, tar, sage, chocolate, and sweet toasted oak. It was medium to full-bodied with rounded tannins that painted the palate with hints of cherries, black raspberries, currants, sage, dusty earth, iron, chocolate, and a juicy pomegranate note of the finish. The wine is complex with lovely layers of fruit and earth that harmonize beautifully together. – SR
2022 Petit Verdot
Seavey and Samuel Brannan Vineyards, 14.5% alcohol
Wafting from my glass was a bouquet of cassis fruit, black cherries, blackberries, tar, dried sage, cigar box, jalapeno pepper, vanilla, violets, powdered sugar, and chocolate fudge. It was full-bodied with rounded tannins that gripped the palate with hints of cassis fruit, blackberries, black cherries, tar, tobacco, dusty brined earth, chocolate, and sweet toasted oak. It was complex with decadent layers of berry fruits and savory terroir notes. The wine was bold yet elegant with a nice level of acidity that brought balance and sophistication. This wine is approachable now but should reward those with that choose to cellar it. – SR
Fall release price information can be found here.
##
Component Wine Announces the Launch of 2022 Vintages
Napa, California. September 24, 2024 – Component Wine is excited to announce the release of its highly anticipated 2022 vintages, featuring the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon from Caldwell Vineyard, 2022 Cabernet Franc from Hendry and Samuel Brannan Vineyards, and 2022 Petit Verdot from Seavey and Samuel Brannan Vineyards. Despite the challenges presented by the growing season, these wines reflect the artistry and expertise of winemaker Marc Gagnon, capturing the unique terroirs and character of each vineyard.
“2022 as a vintage is one of the more challenging we’ve faced,” expressed Founder, Michael Kennedy. “The old saying is, ‘tough vintages show how great a winemaker is,’ and this couldn’t be truer for 2022. Marc’s planning, perception, experience, and execution led us to a collection of incredible wines for such a difficult year. Despite the intense heat and untimely rains, Marc pulled off some miracles.”
2022 Cabernet Franc
A stunningly beautiful Cabernet Franc that bridges the gap between California sunshine and the great Franc regions of the Old World. This medium-bodied, luscious wine is sourced from two of Component Wine’s most historic sites: Hendry Vineyard, originally planted in 1859, and Samuel Brannan Vineyard, planted in 1862. Silky and structured, the 2022 Cabernet Franc offers a complex profile of elegance and depth, making it an ideal choice for both seasoned enthusiasts and those new to the variety.
About the Cabernet Franc, Michael Kennedy shares, “The 2022 Cabernet Franc, in particular, is a wine I can’t stop thinking about. It constantly shifts and evolves in the glass—one moment reminding me of the great wines of Saint-Émilion, then Loire, and, of course, the stellar wines of Napa. The balance of fruit, earth, and elegance is exactly what I hope for in a Napa Cabernet Franc.”
2022 Cabernet Sauvignon
A truly remarkable expression of the Caldwell Vineyard in Coombsville, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon delivers cool blue fruit, vibrant acidity, and an outrageously long finish. Aged in 80% new French oak, this 150-case production is both elegant and approachable, making it perfect for everything from serious pairings to casual family dinners. The volcanic ash and loam soils of Caldwell Vineyard, combined with the cooler climate, create a wine that is vibrant in its youth, yet will reveal even greater nuance with time. This is a wine that invites you to slow down, take a deep breath, and savor every sip.
2022 Petit Verdot
A classically rugged red wine that pays homage to one of the original inspirations for the Component project, the 2022 Petit Verdot is built for cool Fall nights and barbecue. Sourced from the historic Seavey Vineyard in Conn Valley and Samuel Brannan Vineyard in Calistoga, this 100-case production Petit Verdot is aged in 100% new French oak. Gentle hand punch-downs during fermentation helped to preserve its silky tannins while allowing lifted floral notes of boysenberry and vanilla to shine through. The 2022 vintage beautifully captures the essence of this bold variety, making it a standout for the season.
These wines exemplify Component Wine Company’s dedication to small-batch, terroir-driven winemaking, and they will continue to evolve and develop in the bottle.
The 2022 Napa Red vintages are available for purchase now. For more details, please visit www.componentwine.com.
About Component Wine
Component Wine Co. was founded by Michael Kennedy with the goal of creating single-variety, single-vineyard wines that offer an intimate exploration of the intrinsic characteristics of each grape and region. The brand focuses on crafting small-batch wines that embody the purity of terroir from esteemed vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, Bordeaux, and Provence.
About Fraîche Wine Group
Fraîche Wine Group is a distinguished family of boutique wineries founded by two passionate friends: a celebrated winemaker and an accomplished sommelier. With estates spanning the renowned regions of Napa, Sonoma, Oregon, Tuscany, and Bordeaux, Fraîche Wine Group is dedicated to crafting exceptional wines that honor both tradition and innovation. Each winery within the group—Component Wine Co., Gagnon-Kennedy Vineyards, Borgo Bonelli, and SOM Wines—offers a unique story rooted in the rich history of its terroir. Under the leadership of Michael Kennedy, President & Founder, and Marc Gagnon, Co-Founder & Director of Winemaking, Fraîche Wine Group continues to elevate the art of winemaking, creating wines that resonate with both connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts alike. For more information, visit www.fraiche.wine or follow us on Instagram @fraichewine.
##
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Proof Awards, Cellarmasters, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.
