95pts Jeb Dunnuck

The 85 case 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Bale Mill Creek Vineyard comes from a 5-acre vineyard near Turley, just outside of St. Helena, that was planted in the late 1990s. It's a big, rich, sexy beauty with tons of black raspberry and cassis-like fruit, as well as some background spicy oak and floral nuances. With full-bodied richness, a round, layered mouthfeel, and velvety tannins, this pleasure-bent effort is well worth your time and money. It should impress for at least 15-20 years.

93pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Sourced from a vineyard on Highway 29, north of the town of St. Helena, the 100% varietal 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Bale Mill Creek Vineyard features bright cherries on the nose, accented by hints of mint and dusty earth. In the mouth, it's medium to full-bodied, with a firm structure of dusty tannins and a long, mouthwatering finish. 

93pts James Suckling

This has a dusty nose with ripe dark berries, ground spices, chocolate and wet asphalt undertones. Medium- to full-bodied with compact, velvety tannins. Rich and dark-fruited with a velvety finish. Attractive now, but better after 2025.

Winemaker's Notes

The 2021 Bale Mill Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet-purple in color. It leaps with notes of crushed blackcurrants, juicy black plums, and mulberries followed by nuances of tilled soil, bay leaves, and charcoal. The full-bodied palate delivers mouth-coating black fruits with a fine-grained, approachable texture and bright acidity to support, finishing long with impressive purity. 85 cases.

Vineyard Notes

BALE MILL CREEK VINEYARD is Nestled into the base of the Mayacamas Mountains along Mill Creek at the northern terminus of the St. Helena sub-appellation, Bale Mill Creek has its roots in one of the classic alluvial fans of the Napa Valley. 

The original plantings, dating back to the early 1990’s, sit in gravelly soils studded with obsidian stones brought across the valley from Glass Mountain by the Native Americans that once camped along the creek. This vineyard is farmed “beyond organic” by Jim Gamble to cordon trained vines, low to the ground, that undulate along the alluvial fan allowing for wines of deep color. A cool evening breeze brought over the mountains from the Pacific Ocean assists in balancing the vineyard’s depth with a natural freshness, complementing the aromatically unique fruit from this well-draining site. 

Our grower partner, Jim Gamble, paraphrased the ethos of his land: “Bale Mill Creek Vineyard sits on a pronounced alluvial fan above Mill Creek, resulting in (very) rocky and well drained soils.  This creates a perfect soil profile for vines to produce world class grapes.  We farm Bale Mill Creek Vineyard organically.  This is the right thing to do for Mother Earth, and it honors the area’s rich cultural history.  This was a popular spot for the early settlers in the Napa Valley.  Bale Mill Creek Vineyard is on the western and cooler side of the valley.  With the year-round supply of water in Mill Creek, the Old Bale Grist Mill was built across the road in 1846.  This was also a popular area for the early Native American residents, due to the afternoon shade and water in Mill Creek.”  

Winery Notes

'The word “amulet” comes from the Latin word amulētum, which means “an object that provides good fortune” or a good luck charm.

More than a talisman, the true mark of the Amulet Estate portfolio is a nod to the pioneering spirit of early Napa Valley viticulture and a deep respect for the land. Sourced from carefully selected vineyard sites, each single vineyard varietal is an elegant expression of Napa Valley terroir.

The Amulet Estate portfolio features six exceptional wines, sourced from five distinct vineyards, each showcasing a unique terroir. The ‘AE’ wines, our Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, provide a refined introduction to Amulet Estate, embodying the essence and approachability of Napa Valley. Our Amulētum Assemblages—Valley Vineyards and Hillside Vineyards—celebrate the region’s diverse terroirs, with the Valley Vineyards reflecting the richness of the valley floor and the Hillside Vineyards capturing the expressive character of the elevated sites. The Estate Blanc, crafted from carefully selected Sauvignon Blanc clones, and our Proprietary Red Wine, a distinguished blend of the finest barrels, demonstrate our commitment to purity, finesse, and balance. Each wine in our portfolio stands as a tribute to Napa Valley’s heritage, crafted with profound respect for the land and an unwavering dedication to excellence.

Our approach to winemaking and hospitality encourage continued growth and graceful evolution. Our attention to detail in the vineyard coupled with a gentle winemaking philosophy allow us to produce wines with elevated purity that reflect the place the grapes were grown.'

Organic