The Crane Assembly G.B. Crane Vineyard el Coco 2019
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The 2019 el Coco pours a rich and dark garnet with a purple tint in the glass. Aromatically, the wine is boisterously expressive with notes of violet, lilac, blackberry, dark roses, supple leather and exotic spices. An energetic entry that is both elegant and vibrant, the palate is rife with notes of black plum, black cherry, currant, ripe raspberry and a touch of vanilla. Soft tannins abound with palate-coating density resulting in a luscious finish that lingers.
Blend: 48% Old Vine Zinfandel, 38% Petite Sirah, 14% Merlot
Other Vintages
2016-
Parker
Robert
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Parker
Robert
The Crane Assembly was founded in 2012 by friends Dave Phinney, Darryl Browman, Kevin A. Fox and Byran Sandoli when they purchased one of Napa Valley’s historic viticultural landmarks. An eight-acre vineyard that was planted by the famous Dr. George Beldon Crane. Located in the gravel rich soils of southern St. Helena, it is believed that Dr. Crane first established grapes on this site in 1885, making it one of the oldest vineyards in Napa Valley.
Of the eight acres in production, approximately four acres are a combination of Crane’s original plantings and some newer (1930) “mixed blacks” plantings. This four-acre block has been continuously farmed for nearly one hundred and thirty years by a number of different people…and now it is our turn to take on that responsibility. In addition to the G.B. Crane Vineyard’s old vine section, there is also a 1.6-acre block of Cabernet Sauvignon, a 1.4-acre block of Petite Sirah, and two rows of Merlot.
From their estate, they produce two wines, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a field blend born from G.B. Crane’s original plantings named el Coco. In addition to their two estate wines they craft a third wine, a zinfandel blend from heritage vineyards found throughout the Napa Valley named Disciples.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.