Palate
This wine is classic Cabernet Sauvignon: Deep berry fruits, toast, and a touch of vanilla with a lovely long finish. Drinkable late 2015. Age worthy 20+ years with good cellar conditions.
Growing Conditions
EQUILATERAL expresses the balanced triangle of the wine experience: beautiful aromas…a rich mid-palette of complex fruitiness playing against elegantly structured tannins…a lingering finish. The perfect triangle- Equilateral- symbolizes Gabrielle ideal. Textbook growing season describes the 2012 Napa Valley growing season and harvest: Ideal spring bud break, steady flowering, even fruit set, warm days, cool nights during summer. The rains held off until the grapes found optimal ripeness and exceptional quality.
The O’Connell Family Estate Creek Block, Olive Block and Apple Block Cabernet Sauvignon were meticulously blended until beautiful elegance prevailed. The cooler climate of the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley provided deep structure and complexity. The Cabernet is medium bodied, which is Gabrielle’s preference, as this allows the wine to perfectly pair with food.
Aging
Barrel aged in new and once used French Oak for 30 months.
Food Pairing
Grilled lamb finished with lavender honey mustard sauce, elk with a classic bordelaise sauce, filet mignon brushed with savory olive oil, accented with GC Cabernet Sea Salt and Lavender Tellichery Pepper.