Vintage Notes

Vintage 2019 brought a very even ripening season for most of Napa Valley.  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 into October.  We carefully scheduled picking, often in the coolest hours approaching sunrise.  Sauvignon Blanc grapes came in about a week behind average, while most of the other grape varieties fell in around their normal harvest dates, responding well to the consistent temperatures of August, September and October.  Our winemaker appreciates the vintage for allowing time to harvest the grapes when desired, rather than at the mercy of heat spikes or fermenter space in the cellar.

Vinification

The grapes are hand-harvested and gently crushed to retain 60% 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 barrels (80% new) for 20 months and racked twice to naturally clarify the wine and soften the tannins. With no fining and only a coarse filtration, the wine was bottled and laid down for 10 months prior to release.

Tasting Notes

The Faniani Vineyard is located in the Coombsville Appellation.  Dark and intoxicating seems to be the signature of this vineyard. A tightly constructed powerhouse of a wine, the 2019 vintage is one you are going to want to decant for hours or bottle age it for a few years before enjoying. Black fruits dominate the palate with molasses, and savory soy notes. The texture is full and rich, the tannins grippy yet extremely fine. The finish is long, revealing lots of minerality and licorice. An exquisite wine from beginning to end.

Technical Analysis   

Varietal                  Cabernet Sauvignon (100%), 

Source                   Faniani Vineyard, Coombsville, Napa Valley

Harvest Date        October 9 - 28, 2019

Harvest Sugar      25.2 Brix

Total Acid             0.66 gm/100ml

pH                          3.72

Alcohol                  14.9%

Aging                    20 Monthss in 100% French Oak, 80% New

Bottle Date           July 7, 2021

Production            145 cases