“Classically styled, restrained wines that represent great value.” – Wine Advocate

Gonzague & Claire Lurton have deep roots in Bordeaux, sharing 4 generations of winegrowing, owning multiple Left Bank Châteaux. After pumping out decades of Grands Crus Classés across the pond, they set out to plant a flag over here, taking aim at Chalk Hill in Sonoma. They bought a vineyard and named it Trinité. After all, Latour’s got Eisele. Mouton’s got Opus One, Petrus has Dominus, Rauzan Segla has St. Supéry, as some of the other prominent names with Californian investments that paid handsomely.

So, when the Lurtons of Margaux’s Durfort-Vivens and Pauillac’s Haut-Bages-Libéral set their sight on CA, they zeroed in on Chalk Hill. The genius behind Verité, their Bordelaise friend, and soon-to-be neighbor Pierre Seillan led them to this promised land that boasts more 100-point scores than any other Sonoma winery in history. Chalk Hill remains ripe as the next frontier for Bordeaux grapes, and with the Verité endorsement, the sky remains the limit for Trinité.

We rolled out our first Trinité, the flagship Acaibo a few months ago, and here comes the Amaino, sister to Acaibo, derived from the word for “volcanic stone” in Pomo, referring to the volcanic ash found in the soils here in the northern foothills of Mount St. Helena.

True to its name, the nose has a striking scent of minerals, reminiscent of crushed stones with a freshly sharpened pencil-led edge, that underpins the gorgeous fruits ranging from cassis to black cherry. There are further layers unfolding in the palate, with bright acidity offsetting fine, grainy Cabernet tannins, as steeped plums, dark chocolate coated almonds, and just cracked black pepper emerge to round it all out with a finish that persists impressively for the value here. If you need a versatile, juicy red to wash down that weekday roast and hearty veggies on the side, this will more than deliver.

Did we say double the 93 points?!

Indeed “a wine with precision and tension” as James Suckling points out, truly “Stellar” per Wine Enthusiast all the way to the bank. While it lasts.

93 Points – Wine Enthusiast

“This stellar blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and 9% Merlot is woven together with care, revealing an earthy bouquet of leather and compost. Old World in style, with its light approach and elegant underpinnings, it offers layers of clove, black pepper and graphite flavors within a balanced frame.”

93 Points – James Suckling

“The excellent aromas of violets and black currants. Vivid. Full body, round and silky tannins and a long and polished finish. A wine with precision and tension. Drink now but better in 2020.”