TASTING NOTES:
WINEMAKER'S NOTES:
Gorgeously deep ruby in the glass, our 2017 Napa Valley Cabernet opens with the alluring aromas of black fruit, dried herbs and earthiness. Vibrantly direct on the attack, this chiseled blend of cabernet and merlot invites interest with a toothsome panoply of flavor notes: dense blackberry, black plum, anise, and hints of black tea, complemented by a savory meatiness through the mid-palate that makes for a satisfying weightiness and volume. Aged twenty-two months in 42% new French oak, the wine reveals a lightly muscled structure and pleasing acidity…that should allow for enjoyment at release through the next 12-15 years. Vibrant, assertive and displaying a surprising balance of sinew and agility; the wine is reminiscent of the San Francisco Forty-Niners enormously talented All-Pro tight-end, George Kittle (#85) on one of his memorable gallops to the end zone…leaving hapless defenders foundering in his wake.
The backbone of this remarkable Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from Coombsville and Soda Canyon, an area of southeast Napa Valley where soils are characterized by a unique blend of red volcanic soils and clay. The most prominent of these vineyard blocks is planted on a gently sloping plateau, and the comparatively temperate climate of the area, versus the warmer territory up valley, serves to lengthen the growing season. The grapes are allowed to achieve full ripeness without the pressure of heat extremes common in warmer areas, and low vigor soils throughout the vineyard create small, dense clusters. With the addition of vibrant dark fruit from our preferred vineyard sources on St. Helena, Howell Mountain and Soda Canyon, the resulting wine is expressive and evocative.
