Product Description
Click to find out more.
S.R. Tonella Cellars, Maxenti, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2023, Napa, California, America
Producer Profile
Steve Tonella was born in Napa Valley and grew up living in Sonoma and Rutherford. He is the 4th Generation crafting wines from this wonderful Napa estate.
From an early age Steve worked in the vineyards with his father and grandfather. Enjoying the hot sun and helping in the vineyard by suckering vines (removing unwanted shoots) tying, training, and irrigating formed his early encounters in vineyards. He says he is amazed to have survived as the mode of transportation was the infamous 3-wheeler motorcycles that were accident prone and tipped easily.
Those early years shaped Steve’s endless commitment to vineyard management and passion for winemaking.
S. R. Tonella Cellars is the culmination of over 100 continuous years in the wine business in Rutherford, Napa Valley. Their purpose is simply to make history by crafting the best premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc & Bordeaux wines that represent the best of Rutherford and Napa Valley.
The Maxenti Vision
Crafted for those who appreciate both time-honored winemaking and the excitement of new & limited finds. Rooted in the rich, intimate winemaking traditions of fourth-generation vintner Steve Tonella’s Italian heritage, Maxenti Cellars is a tribute to craftsmanship, heritage, and the beauty of the vineyard. More than a wine, Maxenti is an experience—meant to be savored, shared, and remembered. Whether enjoyed today or saved for a special occasion, our wines are cultivated to bring people together, one glass at a time.
Viticulture
The 2023 growing season in Rutherford and Napa Valley brought a refreshing return to balance and classicism. Following a significantly wet winter and early spring, vines benefited from deep soil moisture heading into bud break, which occurred slightly later than average due to cooler temperatures. These temperate conditions pushed back the growing season, allowing for slow, even ripening — gaining elegance and complexity through the summer months and into harvest. 2023 is being heralded as a high-quality vintage, marked by freshness, balance, and clear site expression.
Winemaking
Winemaker Philip Titus and Steve Tonella work synergistically to make decisions in every step of the harvesting and winemaking process, from tasting the grapes in the vineyard, to juicing, to fermenting and aging. The vineyard sites provide plenty of expressive fruit with slower and natural extraction of flavours, allowing for tannins, rich colour, and complex aromas. Titus and Tonella make picking decisions that are specific to each site by block and row, always seeking to balance ripe fruit flavours, tannin structures and natural acidity. Crush and fermentation are transitioned naturally and gently to coax out the true, terroir-driven expression of each vineyard and varietal, and the winemaking focuses on the complexity of fruit, depth of texture and length of structure on the palate.
Tasting Note
Ripe blackberries, currants, and violets with hints of graphite and minerality. Full-bodied with sleek tannins and subtle acidity. Polished and focused with great length and tension. Shows power and finesse.
Goes well with
The Classics: A perfectly cooked New York strip steak, ribeye, or slow-cooked prime rib.
Game & Lamb: Herb-crusted rack of lamb or venison loin align beautifully with the Cabernet’s herbal and savoury spectrum.
Gourmet Burgers: A dry-aged beef burger topped with sharp, aged cheese.
Cellaring
7-12 years with careful cellaring.
Don’t just take our word for it…
Features
Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon 94%, Malbec 2%, Petit Verdot 2%, Aglianico 2%
Colour: Red
ABV: 14.5%
Closure: Natural cork
Style: Still
Case Size: 6 x 75cl
Country: America
Region: Napa, California
Vintage: 2023
