Nose
This wine boasts aromas of raspberry and
blueberry perfumed with floral notes and touches of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Palate
On the
palate, cherry and raspberry fruit comes forward with layers of cassis, blueberry, vanilla
cream, spice, and a sweet note. The texture is smooth and silky with well-integrated
tannins and good acidic weight. The wine finishes long and polished.
Growing Conditions
Following several years of drought, February
delivered much-needed rain to the vines. Budbreak occurred early in 2015 due to
warmer than normal temperatures in late winter and early spring. Warm temperatures
and abundant sunshine June through October led to good growth the rest of the
season, an early harvest, and very high-quality, balanced fruit.
Harvest
The fruit for this wine
was harvested at an optimal level of ripeness in September. The berries were hand
harvested at night, carefully sorted, and destemmed to tank, where fermentation took
place.
Winemaking
The Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon blend
is produced from as many as 80 different small lots—wines that showcase the complex
expression of this storied winegrowing region.
Aging
Racked to 36 percent new American oak barrels, where it
was aged for 17 months prior to bottling.
Appearance
Deep ruby in color.
Food Pairing
Expressive and elegant, this exceptionally food-friendly wine will pair
delightfully with a variety of dishes, from grilled T-bone steaks with chimichurri sauce,
to miso-marinated sea bass or grilled salmon. For a perfect cheese pairing, Fiscalini
Bandage Wrapped Cheddar, patterned after traditional English Cheddar, has the
fullness, complexity, and ambition to match this wine.