93 Pts Antonio Galloni - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon 1886 is a beautifully delineated wine with expressive aromatics and plenty of nuances. Blackberries, Chambord, spices, white flowers and licorice are some of the notes that emerge from this generous, fruit-driven Cabernet Sauvignon. This feminine, graceful Cabernet Sauvignon should continue to drink well for a decade or so. In 2008 the blend is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, aged in French oak barrels, 70% new. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020." 93 points - Antonio Galloni

"A rich, dense, captivating style that serves up tiers of loamy earth, dried herb and currant, with black licorice, sage, cedar and mineral. Full-bodied, well-balanced and complex, with the flavors woven together on a chewy finish. Best from 2012 through 2021. 1,343 cases made." 92 points Wine Spectator

WINE:
"The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon '1886' faithfully expresses the quality and character of our North St. Helena terroir. This is a rich, powerful, dense Cabernet Sauvignon with all the elegance and soft, silky tanin that has always defined our Estate. Notes of black plums, black cherries, violets, cinnamon and toffee, layered with ripe red fruit and chocolate cherries. Complex, exciting, and elegant. The Petit Verdot contributes a wisp of blueberry and nutmeg, the Cabernet Franc firms up the structure in the front palate, and the small addition of Merlot warms up the velvety middle." -Winery

WINERY:
"Operating as a small family farm, Ehlers Estate adheres to a core set of values: quality, sustainability, community, and philanthropy. The historic and diverse Napa Valley vineyards of Ehlers Estate are certified organic and cultivated using biodynamic farming techniques to produce a small portfolio of exceptional estate-grown wines. Wine grapes have been growing on this rocky, loamy, northern St. Helena benchland since the mid-1800's and today these prized vineyards are at the core of our commitment to quality."

"In 1985, French entrepreneur and philanthropist Jean Leducq began acquiring small parcels of vineyard land in Napa Valley’s acclaimed St. Helena appellation. A dedicated vintner and wine lover, his goal was to found a contiguous Napa Valley estate - in the classic French style -capable of producing wines with the power, grace and sophistication of the great Bordeaux houses. To this end, Jean Leducq worked with renowned enologist, Jacques Boissenot, to select land with the natural diversity necessary to produce fruit capable of creating complex, layered wines. The land they chose possessed a rich winegrowing tradition dating all the way back to the mid-1800s, and had once been home to the historic vineyard of Bernard Ehlers."

"In keeping with the winery's marriage of quality and conscience, Ehlers Estate is at the forefront of environmentally aware farming practices. Guided by Winemaker Kevin Morrisey, the Ehlers Estate viticulture program embraced organic farming in 2004, and adopted biodynamic farming practices in early 2005. These hands-on methods help to preserve the purity and character of the estate’s mosaic of 25 vineyard blocks, each of which are individually fermented and aged. Beginning with the 2005 red wine vintage and the 2007 white wine vintage, all Ehlers Estate wines have been crafted exclusively from this stellar palette of certified organic, estate-grown grapes. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of our wines goes to support the Leducq Foundation, a highly regarded, not-for-profit foundation dedicated to funding international cardiovascular research." -Winery