Colgin Cellars, established in 1992, is a powerhouse on the Napa scene. Now in a ‘strategic partnership’ with Luxury giant LVMH, their reach extends well beyond the mailing list clientele that used to be their primary outlet for sales. The first vintage release was in 1995, and soon after replanting began on an historic hillside vineyard just north of St Helena. This was to become Tychson Hill, whose first vineyard designate release was in 2000. Cariad followed, a volcanic, gravelly parcel in Napa’s western hills, which was joined by IX estate, home of the estate winery, a steep, east facing parcel on Pritchard Hill, overlooking Lake Hennessy on the valley’s eastern flanks. Each site produces a vineyard designate, straight Cabernet Sauvignon for Tychson Hill and Cabernet Blends for Cariad and IX, the latter also producing an impressive Syrah. The wines out of Colgin are powerful but controlled, polished yet site specific, often taking around a decade to really come out of their shells.