In 2020, we went to Napa, possibly were over-served and...
Ended up making an entire barrel of wine
This site is intended for friends and colleagues only. We won't make any money whatever you end up buying. But you may save a marriage (especially Scott's) if you pick up a few bottles!
Two Friends, One Perfect Blend: CABLOT (KAB-loh)
Bob Hollander & Scott Hall
As you landed here you were very likely invited. But in case you were not - we went to college together and have lived, worked and traveled together for 40+ years. Our Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend is the culmination of two friends' passion for wine. Our goal was to create a wine that would embody the best qualities of each grape variety, resulting in a harmonious and complex blend.
Made from Famous Grapes - Cablot?
This is where the "overserved" part begins. We were at our 3rd Napa vineyard of the day (Duckhorn) and discussing our "perfect red". While we love Cabernet, we'd both come to appreciate red blends and yes, even Merlot (sorry Paul Giamatti). Our creative, yet alcohol soaked minds came up with the idea of a "Merlot wrapped Cabernet" - which became Cablot.
Other Fun Facts:
- The same day at Duckhorn, we came up with 'Hallander' - yet another blend, Hall + Hollander. We bought the domain name from our phone in the same sitting
- Bob and Scott went to Napa for barrel tasting in February 2022 - choosing the G3 Vineyard (now referred to as 'A2') as the 2021 Cabernet base
- Our wives, Jen and Dana - were real sports in joining us in Napa June 2023 for the actual blending meeting - basically 3 hours in a conference room
- The term "Merlot Wrapped Cab" became Cablot during a phone conversation with Scott's mom - sometime in 2022
We are proud to share this unique creation with you and invite you to join us in celebrating friendship, good wine and memorable moments.
Cheers to the perfect blend!
What's the Makeup of this New Wine?
A2 Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon 95.75%
Also known as G3 at the time of our barrel tasting, wines from this field consistently score in the high 90s. One of the most historic and coveted properties in the world – A2 Vineyard, as we denote it, was originally owned and planted by Thomas Rutherford in 1895. Opulent, rich and full-bodied with black currant, cedar, cassis, black-licorice and cherry complimented by earthy flavors associated with Rutherford Dust.
Petit Verdot:
2.5 %
The time for varietally designated bottlings of Petit Verdot has arrived. We’re honored to source our ‘PV’ from Stagecoach Vineyard ® , one of the mostly highly-acclaimed properties on the planet. Our block delivers a mouth-filling beast of dense black fruit and haunting ink backed by rip-roaring tannins. Petit is anything but small. This is an epic, head-turning statement worthy of long term aging.
Merlot:
0.75%
Merlot has historically been unfairly depicted as being too soft. If only the writer and producers of the film 'Sideways' had experienced the Merlot from Broken Rock Ranch. It's often joked that the most powerful Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa is Merlot from Broken Rock - located at the base of the Vaca Range, just off Silverado Trail. Originally we'd thought of incorporating more of this into the wine - thus the name Cablot. We ended up with smaller, yet effective percentage.
Malbec:
0.75%
Malbec is a grape that originated in the Bordeaux region of France, where it's often used to blend with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. We blended in Malbec to create a wine with a complex flavor profile and balanced tannins. While our A2 Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure and tannin, while Malbec adds mid-palate sweetness.
Cabernet Franc:
0.25%
Our Cabernet Franc is from Stagecoach Vineyards in Napa Valley. Our particular source is from the most sought-after section – Block E1. This stretch of low yielding vines delivers generous aromatics of red fruit and soft berry, which gradually give way to refined minerality and light herbaceous notes.
The End Result:
CABLOT
This wine showcases the rich, smooth texture of Merlot, enveloping the firm structure and robust tannins of Cabernet Sauvignon. With notes of black cherry, blackcurrant, along with hints of vanilla and oak, this fusion of grapes is a feast for the senses. Think: Merlot-wrapped Cabernet Sauvignon (MWCS).
Read the early tasting notes from Patrick Saboe, Lead Winemaker at the Wine Foundry
"Right from the pop the wine is rich and smooth with great flavors and polished tannins. The barrel components should more prominently early on. I enjoyed the wine that day, but felt it was young and needed to open up. on Thursday, I tried the Wine again and it was more expressive. There were more flavors of fruit and the wine seemed more complex with still the smooth tannins. On Friday I took the last half of bottle home with me and had it with my dinner. It was superb! So many more layers and a little bit of edge, although the profile was still polished. Really enjoyed what it evolved into...that likely means a few years down the road. But it’s going to be a tasty journey!" Date: November 2022 - drinking window 2025-2032
Tasting
Free
You'll likely need to be with Bob or Scott when they open up a bottle, or find them in weak moment!
One Bottle
$95.00
One (1) bottle delivered to your address - shipping included.
We cannot ship to these states: UT, OK, MS, AK, HI, RI, DE, AL, AR, sorry.
3 Bottle Set
$195.00
Three (3) bottles delivered to your address - shipping included.
We cannot ship to these states: UT, OK, MS, AK, HI, RI, DE, AL, AR, sorry.
