Production Notes
Varietal Content: 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot; Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 85% New, 15% Neutral
Winemaker Notes
This intensely aromatic wine begins with bursts of brambly fruit, blueberry and blackberry jam, along with hints of fresh pie crust and baking spices. On the palate, the voluptuous fruit is framed by a velvety texture and dusty tannins that add length to flavors of boysenberry, tobacco leaf, black peppercorn and cedar.
Production
In Napa Valley, a warm, dry spring resulted in any early budbreak, while an extended flowering period brought a return to normal yields after three years of abundant crops. With berry weights down, the grapes offered great concentration, while retaining excellent acidity. We had one of our earliest harvests in the past decade, with our first white grapes arriving at the winery on July 31st. A light rain in mid-September nourished the vines, while providing welcome additional hangtime. Overall, the quality of the fruit was exceptional, with our white wines showing both richness and complexity, and our red grapes displaying a fine balance between elegance and intensity, with gorgeous dark fruit flavors.