Introduction
Producing seriously fine wines on two continents; Jonathan Maltus and his team make handcrafted, single-vineyard and reserve fine wines in both France and the United States.
People
We pride ourselves in seeking out the most talented people and utilising all of their skills from the vine to bottle to your glass to produce some of the world’s finest wines.
Winemaking
In the centre and heart of both Estates is an endless quest to discover a seamless balance between winemaking and terroir.
The Estates
Chateau Teyssier is the home for the Maltus Family – Jonathan, Lyn and their kid’s Jamie and Jack, along with their two dogs and two cats.
SAINT Emilion, Bordeaux
In France, our wines are both Chateau (multi parcelled) and Single Vineyard (specific parcel) driven, drawn from the three terroirs that makes Bordeaux’s fine wine appellation, Saint Emilion.
Napa Valley, California
World’s End offers Single Vineyard wines from valley, ridge, and mountain and Reserve, varietal wines that reflect the general diversity of the Napa Valley as a whole.
SINGLE VINEYARD WINES
The Saint Emilion Grand Cru wines are made from specific limited quantity parcels based in the coverted ‘côtes’ section of Saint Emilion in the heart of the Cru Classés. They are designed to express the individual terroirs of this great area. The wines hailing from Napa Valley represent different expressions of region and come from the top ‘vineyard designated’ blocks. These are from both valley floor and from the mountains in limited quantities.
CHATEAU AND RESERVE WINES
Classic Saint Emilion wines made from multi parcels located throughout the Saint Emilion Grand Cru appellation which are then blended in way that represents individual Chateau styles. The Reserves are classic and good value wines blended to combine many of the disparate terroirs that make up the Napa Valley. All made with sense of power and elegance.
Wine Clubs
JCP MALTUS 100 Point Club is an exclusive wine club which provides a range of membership options, each showcasing a premium selection of our handcrafted wines.
SAINT Emilion, Bordeaux
The Vineyards now extend to over fifty hectares under vine, a large part of which are situated amongst Cru Classé terroir on the cotes hugging the village of Saint Emilion.
Napa Valley, California
Our fruit is nurtured and grown in some of the most well respected vineyards that hold the highest quality terroir in Napa Valley, ranging from the cooler mountains slopes of Pritchard Hill to the Lake Carneros to the red clay soils of the valley floor.
'Against The Wind', Cabernet Franc Reserve, Napa Valley
“And I remember what she said to me. How she swore that it never would end. I remember how she held me, oh so tight. Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then.” 'Against the Wind', Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band.
'AGAINST THE WIND' is a wine produced by the Estate’s favourite grape variety – Cabernet Franc. There has been a surge of interest in this variety – the daddy of Cabernet Sauvignon – particularly wines made in the cooler parts of the Napa.
2013
James Suckling
91 POINTS
"A tangy and juicy red with lots of dried fruit and hints of jam. Full body, soft tannins and a flavorful finish. A little one-dimensional but outstanding quality. Drink now."
2010
Robert Parker
93 POINTS
"The 2010 Cabernet Franc Against the Wind (75% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) offers a deep ruby/purple color, wonderful sweet black and blue fruit, camphor, asphalt and hints of flowers and toasty oak in the background, medium to full-bodied, intensely concentrated flavors, and 10-15 years of drinkability.”
Wine Enthusiast
93 POINTS
"There’s nuanced green pepper and herbs on the nose of this classic Cabernet Franc, balanced in dense but firm black fruit, tobacco and dusty tannins. Rich and velvety it has plenty of grip for the long haul and is a fine choice for rosemary-adorned lamb." — V.B.
2009
Roy Piper posted on eRobertParker
88-90 POINTS
Given Le Dome is the heaviest Franc based St.Emilion out there, he had to give it a shot here. Medium-bodied, not quite as ripe as the Merlot, well structured, no herbaceous notes, red fruits, this could use maybe 3-4 years and might age a while to boot.”
Jeff Leve posted on thewinecellarinsider.com
89 POINTS
"Produced from 100% Cabernet Franc is filled with floral, herbal, black raspberry, coffee and brown sugar aromas. This soft textured, medium bodied wine will drink well young.”
BP Wines
“This is seriously dark, fat, sexy Merlot. Redolent of big black cherries, blueberries, sweet licorice, vanilla, baking spice and fresh baked blackberry pie. Huge!”
Dean & Deluca
“Winemaker Jonathan Maltus makes the boldest, richest Cab Franc in St. Emilion and is now releasing this Napa Valley Cab Franc as the parallel to his Bordeaux efforts. Medium-bodied with pure fruit showing, this '09 debut vintage possesses smooth tannin and shows well after letting it sit for about an hour before drinking. Sourced from Napa Valley's Coombsville and Sugarloaf Mountain, this offering is predominately Cab Franc with a blended 20% of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. And almost as importantly, this is named after one of my favorite songs by Bob Seger. - Kerrin Laz, Wine Director”
Stephen Tanzer's Int. Wine Cellar
92 POINTS
"Moderately saturated medium red. Good floral lift to the aromas of bitter cherry, redcurrant, licorice and chocolate, menthol and minty nuances emerging with air. Sweet, energetic and fine-grained, with lovely spine to the flavors of red berries, flowers and spices. The suave finish features plenty of tannic kick and a note of chocolate. I'd hold this youthfully medicinal wine for a few years.”
Matthew Jukes, Money Week
“Cabernet Franc is Jonathan’s favourite grape – it makes up his treasured Le Dôme, Grand Cru in Saint-Emilion – and it comes from the cool Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard. This wine is a massive treat for those of you who adore wines like Cheval Blanc, Ausone and, of course, Le Dôme. It is clearly a fraction of the price of these wines, too, so splash out and turn the stereo up to 11...........”
A new review of our Cabernet Franc in Feinschmecker Gourmet Journal, Germany
2009 Against The Wind, Cabernet Franc, World's End, Napa Valley Bacchus Vinothek, 78628 Rottweil, Germany
"Jonathan Maltus, owner of Château Teyssier in Saint-Emilion, produced this wine in Napa Valley. The vegetal notes of the grape, balanced by rip fruits notes are less green than in Bordeaux. The massive tannic structure is well balanced by the appropriate acidity. Still has a lot of years in front of him.”
VINEYARD
The wine is sourced from a number of different vineyards which all have something in common – they are from cool climate areas. This gives the Cabernet Franc the lift that it needs but also delivers the exceptional ripeness necessary for both the power and complexity of great Cabernet Franc wine.
TECHNICAL
Vinification is very similar to those wines that are made in France. After sorting – firstly by bunch and then, after the de-stemmer, grape by grape, a long cold soak before fermentation occurs. The wines undergo their malolactic fermentation in new and one or two year French oak, and are aged in the same oak.
ANYTHING UNUSUAL?
Deeply coloured Cabernet Franc is a sight to behold. As vignerons from Saint Emilion the Estate has a reputation for producing the highest expression of Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux with the wine, LE DOME - a wine rated 100 POINTS by Robert Parker, so when it comes to working with the Cabernet Franc that comes from Napa - present and correct!
WHAT THEY SAY
93 POINTS, WINE ENTHUSIAST, CELLAR SELECTION.
"There’s nuanced green pepper and herbs on the nose of this classic Cabernet Franc, balanced in dense but firm black fruit, tobacco and dusty tannins. Rich and velvety it has plenty of grip for the long haul and is a fine choice for rosemary-adorned lamb"
93 POINTS, ROBERT PARKER, THE WINE ADVOCATE
"The 2010 Cabernet Franc Against the Wind (75% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) offers a deep ruby/purple color, wonderful sweet black and blue fruit, camphor, asphalt and hints of flowers and toasty oak in the background, medium to full-bodied, intensely concentrated flavors, and 10-15 years of drinkability."