To all Best Winers,
It took him a decade, but Jonathan Maltus is now one of the hottest commodities in Bordeaux. His range of wines, starting at the top with the 100 point Le Dome and following all the way through to his ‘every day’ rock star Chateau Pezat, are redefining Bordeaux’s right bank. He’s pretty much staked his claim as one of the premier winemakers in that most premier of winegrowing regions.
So, what’s a guy to do after setting Bordeaux on fire?
Got to Napa…of course.
Jonathan started his World’s End project several years ago, quietly enlisting the help of some serious A-Game individuals in the world of wine to put together a roster of wines from enviable vineyard sites that would deliver excellent value in Jonathan’s lush, fruit-forward, yet with-an-eye-to-Bordeaux style.
Being a hardcore music buff (we know, as Tristen engaged in one of the most intense evenings of 70’s rock music trivia I’ve ever witnessed) Jonathan decided to name his wines after some of his favorite songs from some of his favorite performers. Thus…
Let the cowboys ride, they'll be ridin' against the wind- Bob Seger, Against the Wind
Anyone making a 75% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon blend in the Napa Valley is definitely “ridin’ against the wind”. But hey, if you’re one of the Kings of Cabernet Franc why wouldn’t you apply your genius to a place where the sun always shines? In Bordeaux, Jonathan’s 2010 Le Dome St. Emilion scored a perfect 100 points and that wine was 80% Cabernet Franc. Dude…knows…Franc.
Need more convincing? Jonathan’s consultant in Napa is former Cheval Blanc winemaker Gilles Paquet. Boom. It doesn’t get any ‘Franc-ier’. It is amazing wine, and, oh yeah, 93 points from Parker.
I heard the voice of America, callin' on my wavelength - Van Morrison, Wavelength
Wavelength also has some ‘cry for help’ type lyrics if you listen to it, which may be apropos for Syrah in California since it’s kind of doing the backstroke right now. Jonathan has sneakily blended Cab (35%) and Syrah (65%) together (a la South Australia) in this wine, with devastatingly great results!
“Usually blending Cabernet Franc and Syrah together would not be a high priority on most winemaker’s agenda, but Maltus marches to the beat of a different drummer and clearly has something special on his hands. This is a brilliant Syrah that should evolve for at least a decade. 95 points.”- Robert Parker
He could be on to something with this wine…
Come on can't you see that I'm stranded, caught in the crossfire, I am stranded, caught in the crossfire. I need some kind of kindness, some kind of sympathy… - Stevie Ray Vaughn, Crossfire
Andy Beckstoffer’s Missouri-Hopper Vineyard has never gotten the ‘run’ of some of Andy’s other Napa Grand Crus like To-Kalon or Georges III. It’s always been second fiddle…until now. Jonathan pulled out all the stops on this bottling and, quite honestly, made a wine that is the equal to (or superior) to his Good Times Bad Times Cabernet, which comes exclusively from To-Kalon. We think Missouri- Hopper is ‘moving on up’.
Parker raved, “This full-bodied wine touches all of the taster’s sweet spots. 95 points.” We’re touched that he’s touched!
We’ve gotten the go-ahead to offer some very special pricing on these incredible wines as our New Winex Changeover Celebration continues.
The 93pt Against the Wind Cab Franc carries an MSRP of $55. We’re selling it for $34.98.
The 95 point Wavelength Proprietary Red carries an MSRP of $98. We’re selling it for $64.98.
The 95 point Crossfire Missouri-Hopper Cabernet carries an MSRP of $115. We’re selling it for $74.98.
Quantities are limited. Get your mouse ready…
Kyle Meyer and Tristen Beamon, Proprietors, Wine Exchange
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