Memento Mori

After years of research, three childhood friends found the perfect vineyards to create Memento Mori’s flagship Napa Valley Cabernet blend. Bringing together some of the most internationally acclaimed sites in Napa Valley with the Superstar 100-point winemaker Sam Kaplan translates each parcel into balanced, terroir-driven wines that tell the story of Napa Valley.

The winery was founded in 2010 by Hayes Drumwright, Adriel Lares and Adam Craun. Together they have overcome serious health scares, family tragedy and times of trial, all of which contributed to driving them to start their label Memento Mori – a shared mantra which they interpret as “Remember to Live” – an ethos that is palpable in every bottle.

Memento Mori sources grapes from iconic vineyards such as Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, Beckstoffer Las Piedras, Vine Hill Ranch, Weitz Vineyard, and Oakville Ranch Vineyards. The founders, along with Sam, chose a blend of these iconic sites as Memento Mori’s flagship wine because they liked it best – their ethos drives them in every decision.

In the words of founder Hayes Drumwright, “If a doctor in a single sentence can take away everything for you, then there is no reason to hold off on experiencing the best things in life.” In other words, life is too short not to make the best wine possible simply because it challenges traditions or capitalizes less visibly on expensive vineyard sources.

"Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of each of the single-vineyard wine sites (Dr. Crane, Las Piedras and Vine Hill Ranch), plus fruit from Oakville Ranch and Weitz vineyards. It was aged for 22 months in French oak, 100% new. Deep garnet-purple in color, it charges out of the gate with energetic scents of warm cassis, blackberry pie, boysenberries and wild blueberries plus hints of mocha, black truffles, fertile loam and lavender, with a waft of Chinese five spice. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated and decadent with a velvety texture and fantastic freshness, it finishes long and layered. 1,100 cases were made." 98 pts, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, WA