I was always aware of the significance of clones in the world of Pinot Noir, but little did I know that Cabernet Sauvignon had a singular tale to tell. This week, I had the unique opportunity to delve into the world of single-clone Cabernets, exploring the balance between nature and nurture in crafting these wines. The University of California, Davis (UC Davis), played a major role in the development of these clones. Its Department of Viticulture and Enology began researching and selecting grapevine clones in the mid-20th century. UC Davis developed the famous Clone 7. At the same time, a few California winemakers realized the possibilities of importing Cabernet Sauvignon clones from Bordeaux, known as the Entav-Inra clones.
The San Francisco Wine School hosted an “Attack of the Clones” session where I had a chance to taste with John Hazak, the winemaker and general manager, and Hillary Cole, the director of sales from Bell Wine Cellars.
Bell Wine Cellars is known for having the largest portfolio of single clones in California. The story of Cabernet clones began with Anthony Bell, a visionary winemaker and founder of the winery, when he joined Beaulieu Vineyard (BV) in Napa Valley in the 1970s. This is where he sparked his interest in studying and selecting grape clones that would match different terroirs. His knowledge was expanded when he traveled through France and studied the various Cabernet clones used in Bordeaux blends. In 1991, he opened Bell Wine Cellars and
This Article was originally published on Dallas Wine Chick
