Winemaker Notes
Once again, this iconic vineyard has yielded a profound expression of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon offering complex aromas of berry cobbler, currant, black cherry and fig, with underlying notes of graphite and orange zest. On the palate, the age-worthy tannins are firm and fine-grained, framing the wine’s lush flavors of blackberry, wild black raspberry and cranberry chutney, with hints of wet slate minerality and dried herbs emerging on the long, elegant finish.
Production
For both red and white grapes, 2018 offered near picture-perfect growing conditions, with mild spring and summer weather, and no significant heat events. The conditions were ideal for both our Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, which show beautiful tropical notes and ripe flavors at low sugars. While our Chardonnay harvest began about
three weeks later than normal, the fruit arrived at the winery in pristine condition, producing dynamic and complex wines. The excellent growing conditions naturally resulted in a slightly larger than average crop for our red Bordeaux varieties, with fully lignified seeds at low sugars levels. With temperate weather throughout fall, we were able to pick each block at optimal ripeness, yielding exceptionally juicy and polished red wines, with plush, well-rounded tannins, and lovely overall structure.