Palate
Complex red and black fruits and supple tannins.
Growing Conditions
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 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the south eastern quadrant of the appellation, up the elevating landscape directly in the heart of Napa Valley’s most coveted and finest soils.
The 2012 Napa Valley vintage was one of perfection and will be viewed as one of the historical marks for Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. But from the onset few would have predicted the result. Beginning with heavy rains during March and temperatures cooler than normal, Cabernet Sauvignon experienced bud break just before the 1st of April. Although behind the historical average, the growing season was consistently hot: sunny days bookended by rapidly cooling evenings. The result was a compacted growing season producing peak grape maturity prior to the commencement of the fall rains.
Winemaking
Channeling the vision of Rutherford’s forefather, Andre Tchelistcheff, and combining state of the art enological research, our 2012 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon encapsulates what a Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon is intended to be. Using multiple yeast strains, controlling the winemaking environment by using cooler fermentation temperatures and pressing to dryness without delay, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon was a classic wine at birth. Our 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is aged in 100% new French and American oak barrels. It undergoes malolactic fermentation in oak and ages for a minimum of 24 months. Our barrel program uses a complex mix of specific toasting profiles, which complements the clonal variety of Cabernet Sauvignon used.
Appearance
Our Cabernet Sauvignon is intensely colored.
