Vineyard
Honoring Anthony’s work identifying the differences between various Cabernet sauvignon clones, we produce this Clone 7, known now as the Concannon clone, a long-time workhorse of California Cabernet production. This clone has been known to produce as much as 10 tons per acre in Napa, although it generally produces between 4 –8 tons per acre.  Originally sourced from the Montpellier Nursery in France by James Concannon (founder of Concannon Vineyard, Livermore, CA) in 1893 during California’s first phylloxera blight, this clone displays good fruit strength, some herbal character and good yields. The source of this particular fruit is one of the most historic vineyards on the eastern bench of Rutherford, originally planted by Georges de Latour and Andre Tschelistcheff of Beaulieu Vineyard almost a hundred years ago.

 

The grapes are hand-harvested and gently crushed to retain 50% whole berries. The free-run and press wines were kept separate; the resulting bottled wine is almost entirely from free-run juice. Following fermentation, the wine went through malolactic fermentation in barrel. The wine was aged in 100% French oak (55% new) for 20 months and racked minimally to naturally clarify the wine and soften the tannins, yet retain its fruit intensity. The wine received about nine months of bottle aging prior to release.

 

The 2020 growing season was one for the record books. A warm, dry winter, with very low rainfall led into only a brief spell of mild weather and a couple rains during March.  However, consistently warm weather, frequently windy conditions and a long, hot summer led to two major fire events. The warm, early conditions were almost a blessing in disguise, as the second fire event (the Glass fire complex) had much more devastating consequences for Napa Valley proper, leading to the need to bring in any remaining fruit as quickly as possible before any additional smoke contact could do damage. We were luckier than many, having most of our remaining vineyard locations ready to be picked as soon as crews were able, and the fruit just having entered the ripened stage.  Volume was down quite a bit, and some fruit remained unpicked due to smoke damage, but the overall quality of the vintage was high. All in all, exceptional fruit with great richness, intensity and flavors – just not much of it.

 

This Clone 7 once again demonstrates why it’s one of the most popular Cabernet Sauvignon clones grown in the Napa Valley.  The inky color in the glass draws you in with aromas of purple and red fruits, dried tobacco and rum raisin, forest floor and chaparral, not to mention an almost floral hint.  The taste delivers what the nose promises, with rich plum, boysenberry, and chaparral herbal notes. Overall, the palate is juicy and perfectly ripe, with a linear beam of dark fruits, framed by black tea and black cherry.  There is an old world sensibility to this new world Cabernet, and an intangible feeling of a wine that is already more integrated and developed than would normally be expected in such a young wine.   A long finish, with great balance, density, and firm but supple tannins complement the complex flavors and generous spirit.