Gallica: A Gem To Discover
Rosemary Cakebread
Gallica Winery owner and winemaker
Gallica is a small winery located in St. Helena, California (part of the Napa Valley). It is a gem worth revealing to your palate. The owner and winemaker is Rosemary Cakebread, who has produced beautiful wines that are truly worth discovering.
Just recently, I had the pleasure to visit for a tasting and be hosted by Rosemary herself – quite the honor given my appreciation for her artistry in developing remarkable flavors in the bottle. Historically she was the winemaker for Spottswoode from 1997 to 2005. Her craftsmanship brought 100 point scores to the winery for their luscious Cabernet. To gain a greater appreciation for her journey, you can find my interview with her on this blog, published in 2015. Rosemary established the Gallica label with her first vintage being in 2007. The name Gallica is inspired by a variety of rose native to southern Europe, and it fits beautifully given the refined Cabernet Rosemary crafts with wonderful aromatics. I am certain she has never looked back given the success that she has had.
The tasting was special and included different vintages of her flagship Cabernet. We started with the ’22 Estate Rosé which was made from Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon. This was a wonderful beginning with rich aromatics and ripe fruit in every sip. This led to the different vintages of Cabernet. We tasted through the Estate and Oakville Cabernets from 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Each vintage has its own expression and are well-crafted to say the least. The Estate Cabernet from 2019 gave rise to blueberry and black fruit with a rich, long finish. The 2020 was smooth and presented dark black fruit that was round with black cherry notes. The 2021 was remarkable (an understatement). It was rich black cherry, chocolate, and the longest finish I can recall. The three vintages of the Oakville Cabernet were equally impressive. I was truly mesmerized by the flavors the wine presented. It was a treat to sit and just let the wine sail on and on. It was captivating all by itself. All three of these wines will provide pleasure now and for years to come.
The tasting room is located next to the vineyards. It is a quiet respite to savor and enjoy the lovely wines that are crafted here. In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, you will find Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Albariño, and Grenache – all blended with the deft and refined style that Rosemary brings to her craft.
You can visit the website here. To make an appointment, you will need to call the winery. I can only encourage you to experience the journey of Gallica if you are in the valley. It will be well worth your time.
Enjoy!
