Torcia, Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon, 2017

The Torcia label was established by the Zaninovich family, third-generation vintners who founded Rutherford Ranch Winery in 1978. The brand was created to move beyond their larger estate blends and focus on "benchmark" single-vineyard sites that showcase the extreme diversity of Napa Valley’s terroir—from the valley floor to the rugged volcanic hillsides. The name "Torcia" is the Italian word for "Torch." The brand’s motto and guiding philosophy is: "Illuminating the senses and pursuing excellence." It symbolizes the passing of winemaking knowledge through three generations of the Zaninovich family and the "passion that lights the way forward." The blend is made of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was aged for 20 months in French oak, of which 75% was new. This high percentage of new oak provides the structural "backbone" necessary to balance the intense fruit typical of the 2017 vintage. The 2017 Torcia opens with aromas of blueberry compote, lavender, and crushed stone. The palate is full-bodied and seamless, offering layers of black cherry, dark chocolate, and savoury spice. It finishes with the signature Coombsville minerality; graphite and fine-grained tannins—providing a sophisticated, long-lasting structure that reflects its cool-climate volcanic origins. Pair this wine with a grilled Ribeye steak topped with a savoury blue cheese crust to complement the wine's graphite notes and velvety tannins.