Ralf Holdenried (RH): The goal for Sam Jasper is to find the intersection of concentration and softness, combined with a primary fruit expression, to create more generosity on the palate. This approach consistently continued with all winemaking decisions post-harvest: longer cold soak time, the encouragement for native fermentation to start, combined with higher-temperature fermentation and the finishing of primary [fermentation] in barrel rather than on skins. The results have been spectacular.
How does your winemaking philosophy at Black Stallion Estate Winery shape the Sam Jasper wines?
In partnership with Black Stallion Estate Winery
Discover more at blackstallionwinery.com
The goal for Sam Jasper is to find the intersection of concentration and softness, combined with a primary fruit expression, to create more generosity on the palate… The results have been spectacular
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How has your partnership with Thomas Rivers Brown influenced Sam Jasper?
RH: From the first day of working with Thomas eight years ago, we connected extremely well. His down-to-earth approach to making wine is impressive and logical from start to finish. We discussed every aspect of making Sam Jasper and how vineyard sourcing would allow us to differentiate that brand from our Black Stallion wines. With Thomas’ vast network, we accessed some of the most spectacular vineyards for Sam Jasper, including Gemstone in Yountville, DC Mt. Veeder and One Lane Bridge on Mt. Veeder and Larkmead in Calistoga.
The result? Sam Jasper – a full-bodied, powerful 100% Cabernet Sauvignon pinnacle blend from both winemakers’ personal favourite lots that year, spanning benchland, valley floor and high-elevation mountain terroirs. Just 24 barrels were made for the inaugural 2019 vintage, and the 2021 bottling debuts in early 2025.
In 2019, Black Stallion’s distinguished director of winemaking, Ralf Holdenried, teamed up with acclaimed consultant winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. Their goal was to create a truly exceptional red blend – one that diverges from the estate’s classic house wines, forged through a new and different perspective.
Ralf Holdenried, director of winemaking at Black Stallion Estate Winery
RH: Every year, we set out to make perfect wines at Black Stallion. Our three top blends of Transcendent Cabernet Sauvignon, our red blend, Bucephalus, and our mountain fruit-driven Barrel Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon have shown tremendous, consistent quality over the past 15 years – a quality that we are continuing to evolve and fine-tune with new vineyards and new ideas in the winery. The partnership with Thomas has opened us up to more tools in this process.
What are your goals for elevating Sam Jasper and Black Stallion Estate wines through this collaboration?
The wines continue to be praised for
their depth, complexity and authentic expression of Napa Valley terroir
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What memorable challenges or successes did you encounter in crafting Sam Jasper?
RH: The greatest challenge was the 2022 vintage. Many of our high-end vineyards were significantly affected by the prolonged heatwave in September, near the beginning of harvest. After many tastings and conversations, we felt we could not meet our high-quality expectations for the blend, and we didn’t bottle a Sam Jasper wine in 2022.
Our first vintage of Sam Jasper was a great highlight and might even be overshadowed by the release of the 2021 vintage, which is on the market now. We are extremely proud of these early Sam Jasper releases and look forward to crafting this extraordinary Cabernet blend in years to come.
Black Stallion’s Limited Release and Prestige Collection wines showcase an unwavering commitment to terroir, precision and the art of Napa Valley winemaking.
It’s a commitment that has been taken even further by Black Stallion’s partnership with acclaimed consultant winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown.
Commitment to craft winemaking
– Ralf Holdenried
– Ralf Holdenried
Sam Jasper
A singular new Napa Cabernet from Black Stallion Estate Winery – in conversation with Ralf Holdenried
Nestled in Napa Valley's Oak Knoll District, Black Stallion Estate Winery dates back to the late 1800s. Sitting on the famed Silverado Trail, the building itself was formerly the Silverado Western Centre, a major equestrian compound.
Under the Indelicato family’s stewardship, Black Stallion is thriving, sourcing exceptional fruit from its own estate vineyards as well as meticulously selected, prized sites across Napa Valley, to craft wines of uncompromising quality and depth.
In 2019, director of winemaking Ralf Holdenried embarked on a collaboration with celebrated consulting winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. This partnership aimed to elevate Black Stallion's winemaking approach, particularly focusing on their Limited Release and Prestige Collection wines. Holdenried, who joined Black Stallion in 2014, brought a terroir-driven philosophy, emphasising each plot’s distinctive character. Brown's extensive experience in Napa Valley complemented this vision, producing exceptional wines that reflect the region’s unique terroirs.
Decanter has documented Black Stallion's evolution, with reviewers visiting the estate multiple times in recent years. Decanter reviewers have sampled the 2019, 2020 and 2021 vintages from both the Limited Release and Prestige Collections, and have highlighted the remarkable quality and consistency of the wines, attributing their dependable excellence to the synergistic partnership between Holdenried and Brown. The wines continue to be praised for their depth, complexity and authentic expression of Napa Valley terroir, with the last three vintages achieving scores of 92 points and above from Decanter.
The Limited Release and Prestige Collection wines offer tremendous value, drinking beautifully upon release while also possessing the structure for graceful ageing. Black Stallion Estate Winery’s collaboration with Thomas Rivers Brown has been instrumental in further refining its vineyard practices and grape selection processes. This meticulous attention to detail has resulted in wines that not only showcase the best of Napa Valley but also reflect continuous improvements in viticultural and winemaking techniques.
Thomas Rivers Brown with Ralf Holdenried at the Black Stallion cellar
Another notable outcome of this collaboration is the Sam Jasper project, a limited-production wine that pays tribute to the Indelicato family's heritage. This new label is named in honour of the company’s founder, Gaspare Indelicato: ‘Sam Jasper’ was the anglicised name he used after settling in California and establishing his winery in 1924.
Sam Jasper represents a fusion of tradition and innovation. Crafted with precision and care, this wine embodies the legacy of the Indelicato family while setting a benchmark for future generations, while The Limited Release and Prestige Collections stand as a testament to the winery's dedication to quality and authenticity – and, at the end of the day, delicious wines.
