Nose
Black cherry and cassis, vanilla bean, clove and black tar.
Palate
spices and anise.
Growing Conditions
Despite below average rainfall for the year, there was enough moisture in the soils coupled with welltimed
irrigation to steadily ripen the fruit throughout the growing season. June rains caused a little
shatter to occur during bloom slightly lowering yields in some vineyards. A mild to warm summer in
2012 led to even ripening with an early October heat spell that brought the fruit to an exquisite level of
ripening. With no pressure to pick from looming rainstorms, the 2012 Stagecoach Cabernet was
harvested at its peak level of maturity from an exceptional mountain vineyard in the Vaca hills of
eastern Napa Valley.
Winemaking
Fermentation: BRL97 @ 78-82F
Malo-lactic: Vinaflora strain ML bacteria
BBL age: 34 months 225 liter barrels
New oak: 70%
Primary Coopers: Vicard, Quintessence, Bel Air
Barrel Type: 100% French oak
Aging
4 months 225 liter barrels
