Vineyard
The grapes for this wine are sourced from the historic BV#3, now called Beckstoffer Georges III and located adjacent to Caymus, off the Silverado Trail in the renowned Rutherford sub-appellation of the Napa Valley. It was originally planted by Georges de Latour of Beaulieu Vineyard in 1928 and replanted by Andy Beckstoffer, commencing in 1991.  Honoring Anthony’s work identifying the differences between various Cabernet sauvignon clones, we produce this Clone 337 grown on the Georges III Vineyard.  This plant is a recent addition to the Cabernet sauvignon family, selected in Bordeaux by the institute of research called INRA.  Widely and successfully planted in California, this clone is known for its small berries and moderate yield.  The wines it produces are typically dense and complex, with a highly aromatic, floral varietal character.

Vinification
The grapes are hand-harvested and gently crushed to retain 60% whole berries.  Color extraction uses a combination of delestage (draining juice and returning over the skins), with gentle cap irrigations. The grapes were drained and pressed at dryness. The free-run and press wines were kept separate.  Following fermentation the wine went through malo-lactic fermentation in barrel.  The wine was aged in 80% new French oak barrels for 20 months and racked twice to naturally clarify the wine and soften the tannins. With light filtration and no fining, the wine was bottled and laid down for 8 months prior to release.  

Vintage Notes
Vintage 2019 brought a very even ripening season for most of northern California. Winter shared a little more rainfall than most recent years, easing the drought temporarily. Spring was gentle and warm, with an average timing for bud-break, and a steady growth pattern of spring. June and July turned up the heat - temperatures hovered in the 90s or higher, with a few sustained heat spells, and we moved into a moderately warm August with balanced vine growth producing healthy, leafy canopies.  Fortunately, even temperatures followed the hotter pre-veraison months, allowing fruit to hang and continue ripening through September’s end and well into October. We carefully scheduled picking, often in the coolest hours approaching sunrise.

Tasting Notes 

Our 2019 Clone 337 continues a streak of beautiful examples of this cabernet clone.  The dark garnet color in the glass beguiles you with a nosing of bright red fruits, vinyl, new leather and thyme.  The taste is redolent with dark berries, sweet tobacco, tea leaves and earth.  Very reminiscent of a young Bordeaux.  It possesses a creamy palate, well-integrated tannins, and consistent persistence through to the finish where the bright acidity and a note of salinity leave you wanting another taste.  This beauty will continue to evolve for at least 10 more years.  

Technical Analysis    
Varietal                Cabernet sauvignon, 100%, Clone 337
Source                 Rutherford, Napa Valley 
Harvest Date      October 4, 2019
Harvest Sugar    25.7 Brix
Total Acid           0.53 gm/100ml
pH                       3.73
Alcohol               14.9
Aging                  20 months in 100% French Oak,807% new
Bottle Date         July 7, 2021
Production          250 cases