Nose
Our 2013 Cabernet is an outstanding example of a fine Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon. The stylistic target and subtle adjustments in production are expressed in the most complementary fashion for a complex, structured and luscious tasting experience. It is an intense wine with complex layers of black cherry, currant, sweet spice and mocha.
Palate
The mouthfeel is supple, with soft, toasty oak flavors balanced by firm tannins and structured by bright acidity. Driven by the desire to make fruit-driven, approachable Cabernet Sauvignon true to the varietal’s attributes and superior quality, we are proud to offer this wine exhibiting the essence of what a Cabernet Sauvignon should be.
Growing Conditions
The Napa Valley growing season in 2013 was one of immaculate perfection and rarely witnessed. For years to come, 2013 will be viewed as the preeminent benchmark of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon for this generation and quite possibly will rival the acclaimed 1974 vintage in quality, style and excellence. To better understand the 2013 growing season, one must look at the previous year. 2012 came to a drenched closure under two months of constant precipitation. The combined rainfall during November and December was 22.21 inches, which replenished the deep soils with essential moisture in preparation of the unforeseen extreme drought of 2013. Following cooler temperatures during the winter, a warmer March with below-average precipitation contributed to an early bud break. Summer also deviated from recent seasonal patterns by lacking periods of extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees F. As the daylight hours began to shorten, warm temperatures remained uninterrupted by any pre-harvest rainfall. This ideal weather offered the vines phenolic conditions for ripening without detriment, which was immediately distinguishable in our 2013 Mathew Bruno Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Approved in 1994, the Rutherford AVA has quickly established itself as a world-class premium Cabernet Sauvignon producing microclimate. Rutherford’s most influential attribute is the soil profile: ranging from a complex blending of sand, loam and grave and peppered by volcanic deposits originating from alluvial fans rolling off the Vaca Mountains. Our Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the south eastern quadrant up the elevating landscape directly in the heart of the Napa Valley’s most coveted land for fine Cabernet. The vineyard was originally planted by Mrs. Thomas Rutherford in 1895. In the years following, Georges de Latour purchased the vineyard and named it Beaulieu Vineyard Number 3. Many acclaimed wines originated from this vineyard including wines made by Andre Tchelistcheff who’s wines became the definition of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Winemaking
Our 100% 2013 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon represents the culmination of study, observation and collective effort by the Mathew Bruno team. The Rutherford AVA is the backbone of our Cabernet Sauvignon, accentuated by commingling two vastly different yeast strains under cooler fermentation conditions. The wine is pressed and racked into 100% new French and American oak barrels of various toasting profiles, which complement the Cabernet Sauvignon characteristics during malolactic fermentation.
Aging
After 24 months minimum aging in barrels, we select the finest lots for our final blend prior to bottling.
