Production Notes
Varietal Content: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc; Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 85% New, 15% Neutral
Winemaker Notes
Dark, rich and beautifully layered, this wine offers a medley of sweet and savory flavors, with notes of blackberry, black plum and licorice mingling with hints of black olive, tobacco and sage. On the palate, it is round and full bodied, with well-structured tannins balancing the generous fruit.
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.