Winemaker Notes
This wine is a quintessential Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, capturing its storied terroir with every sip. It reveals bold aromas of dark chocolate, blackberry, fig and graphite on the nose. As the wine unfolds on the palate, a juicy burst of wild berries is framed by the region’s distinctive dusty tannins, brought out by its abundant sun exposure and cool evenings. The finish is long and lingering, unveiling layers of depth and elegant refinement.
Production
Winter and spring provided ample rain, which allowed the vines to set a generous crop with excellent canopies. Budbreak arrived a little over a week early, and we enjoyed warm, steady weather throughout spring and summer. We began picking Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and some Merlot as early as mid-August, but the first big push began after a Labor Day heat event, when our generous canopies paid dividends, helping shade the grapes. After a busy few weeks, a cool spell allowed the remaining grapes time to mature. To counter the impact of modest mid-September rains, we applied a careful fruit drop, and were equally diligent during sorting. Overall, harvest lasted eleven weeks, delivering wines with excellent concentration, supple tannins, lovely finesse and dynamic acidity.