Nose
Cassis, black cherry and ripe black plumb combine with black pepper, and mocha with a hint of black olive.
Palate
Flavors of juicy blackberry and cassis are encompassed with black licorice and a slightly toasted oak. This is a structured Cabernet with length, flavor and style.
Growing Conditions
2016 saw a near-perfect growing season. A warm spring jumpstarted bud break and an ideal June and July followed with moderate daytime temperatures and cool nights. August was cooler allowing for an even and steady growing season which encouraged the fruit to ripen uniformly under slow, steady conditions.
- Rutherford Estate Vineyard
- Dollarhide Estate Vineyard
Harvest
Harvested by hand in the cool morning hours, the grapes were brought to the winery where they were hand and optical sorted.
Bottling
July 19-20 and August 1, 9-10, 13, 15, 2018
Winemaking
Warm fermentation temperatures along with gentle cap maceration helped achieve the desired color and structure for the wine before an extended maceration time on the skins.
- Rutherford Estate Vineyard
- Dollarhide Estate Vineyard
Aging
100% French oak (23% new) for 19 months
Appearance
Rich vibrant purple and red hues present in this wine.
Food Pairing
- Red Wine Creamy Risotto with Parmigiano Reggiano
- Herb Roasted Mushrooms
