Growing Conditions
This soft, easy-drinking Cabernet is a good introduction to the vintage, and while it will improve over the course of three to eight years, it is not a wine intended for long-term cellaring.
Our entry-level Cabernet blend, this vintage is composed of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 10% Syrah and 2% Cabernet Franc. All the fruit comes from Napa Valley and was harvested from October 15-22.
Bottling
This wine was lightly fined with egg whites and bottled without filtration in February 2013.
Winemaking
Our Cabernet Sauvignon follows the Bordelaise model of terroir driven wines blending different Bordeaux varietals. Malolactic fermentation is completed in barrel, and the wines are assembled early so they are “elevated” as the finished wine.
Aging
The 2011 Claret aged for 12 months in 25% new oak on fine lees to coat the tannins and smoothly integrate the wood.