Our Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet sauvignon is blended from superior barrels of wine from select vineyards and appellations within the renowned Napa Valley.  Unlike our single-clone offerings of Cabernet, this blend brings the strengths of multiple clones together into a seamless wine that is greater than the sum of its parts.  The 2019 vintage of the Reserve Cabernet is a blend of vineyards located in the St. Helena, Rutherford, Mount Veeder, Yountville, and Howell Mountain appellations.

 

The grapes are hand-harvested and gently crushed to retain 60% whole berries.  Color and tannin extraction is accomplished via 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 malolactic fermentation in barrel and was then aged as independent lots.  The components were aged in all French oak barrels for 20 months and racked twice to naturally clarify the wine while developing and softening the tannins. With only light filtration and no fining, the wine was laid down in bottle for about a year 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.

 

Our Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon draws you in with an intense aroma of juicy ripe blue and purple fruits, and hints of pastry strudel and warm toasty oak.  Light fig and herb notes add layers to the aromatics, rewarding those who like to dwell on the bouquet.  The flavors on the palate echo the nose with intense red and dark berries, hibiscus, anise and cherry cordial notes.  It has a delicious creamy mouthfeel, and the bright acidity and supple tannins make this a very food-friendly wine, remarkably balanced and approachable in its youth. The finish leaves you with notes of toast and bittersweet chocolate.  Enjoy this wine in the near to mid-term, 2023 – 2030.