Description
SLOAN ESTATE, perched on the eastern hills of Rutherford across 40 spectacular acres, overlooks the Napa Valley floor at elevations ranging from 875 to 990 feet above sea level. The 13 acres under vine were planted in 1997 on a mineral-rich, porous soil of fractured volcanic rock and sandy loam. The perfect blend of white tufa soil, a cool marine influence, and generous sun exposure forms the ideal site for growing fruit of a distinct quality and crafting exceptional wines that are compelling expressions of these elements.
Critical Acclaim
99 points Wine Advocate, Review Date: 05/2011
The practically perfect 2001 Sloan (only the second effort released by Stuart Sloan) is aging magnificently. Made from very young vines planted on the steep hillsides above the Auberge du Soleil in Central Napa Valley, it exhibits a dense purple color with only a slight lightening at the edge as well as a phenomenal nose of burning embers, white chocolate, espresso roast, black currants and graphite. Full-bodied with an expansive, broad, creamy texture as well as a voluptuous finish, the wine has shed a lot of its tannin and is just beginning to hit its plateau of full maturity where it should stay for another 15-25+ years. This is a great terroir and at age ten, the 2001 confirms the accolades I bestowed upon it eight years ago. (RP)
97 points Vinous, Review Date: 10/2021
The 2001 Sloan is a brooding powerhouse. Dark, inky and super-concentrated, the 2001 possesses tremendous textural richness from start to finish. Blackberry jam, licorice, cloves, new leather, mocha and French oak all build in the glass. The 2001 is still quite fresh and deep, but it is also heading into its plateau of maturity. All that said, the 2001 has aged well, although it is very much a wine of its era, with huge fruit and equally heavy torrefaction flavors from the oak. Beyond that, there isn’t much else to say except that the 2001 is in a great spot for drinking right now. It is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage. This was Martha McClellan’s first vintage at Sloan. Mark Aubert made the 2000 and then departed in July of the following year. (AG)
96 points Wine Spectator, Review Date: 06/2004
A stunning wine, dark, rich, immense and concentrated, with youthful, grapey Cabernet aromas of crème de cassis, currant and wild berry, it turns supple and elegant on the palate, revealing uncommon richness, depth and concentration, and finishing with a long, detailed aftertaste that picks up melted dark chocolate and hazelnut flavors. (JL)
Reviews
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