Nose
Fresh berries are prominent on the nose: cherry, blueberry, raspberry. Vanilla,
cinnamon, camphor, and mint add depth and complexity the the captivating
aromas.
Palate
The palate features vibrant acidity and an overall sense of balance that is
often lacking in your typical high-octane Napa Cabernet. With proper cellaring, it
will evolve for 10 to 15 years.
Growing Conditions
Our Napa Cabernet receives choice lots from our Estate Vineyard located in
the hills high above the town of St. Helena, as well as fruit from other top Napa
vineyards, including Stagecoach and Salvador.
Vineyards: Schlatter Family Estate Vineyard, Salvador, Rancho Chimiles,
Broken Rock, Kenefick, Stagecoach, Stanton
Harvest
The 2011 Harvest was one of the most challenging in the history of the Napa
Valley, unlike anything even many of the old-timers had experienced. Weather
was generally uncooperative all the way through the growing season, except for
the fact that moderate temperatures eliminated the normally ubiquitous problem
of dehydration and raisining. Rain in the late spring and early fall rain resulted
in poor fruit set, and created the need for intensive vineyard management. Crop
thinning, canopy management, and rigorous fruit selection ensured high quality,
lower alcohol, and more elegant expression of Cabernet Sauvignon than we have
seen in a very long time in California, but the trade off was a significantly smaller
harvest in terms of yield.
Winemaking
The fruit was hand-picked and triple
sorted before undergoing extended maceration and a long, cool fermentation for
increased flavor, color and aroma. Our Napa Cabernet bottling is always blended with other
Bordeaux varietals for their added aromatic and balanced tannin contributions.
Aging
The wine was aged for 19 months in 50% new
French oak barrels.
