DESCRIPTION
The Napa Valley isn’t all valley. Vineyards extend from the alluvial soils of
the valley floor up into the mountains on either side, the Mayacamas in the
west and the Vaca Range in the east. Grapes grown on the shallow, rocky
soils on hillsides above the morning fog tends to develop smaller berries and
thicker skins, creating concentrated, full-bodied wines with a firm, ripe tannic
structure. The higher elevation also exposes the bunches to cooler mountain
air, especially at night. This drop in temperature preserves acidity, thus
balancing the wine’s ripe fruit intensity and luscious texture.
The grapes that go into this wine come from a single vineyard, highelevation site that is made up of a patchwork of blocks on steep hillsides
and terraces. Bunches are hand-harvested in the evening, and brought to
the winery where the grapes are sorted, destemmed and loaded into small
opened topped fermenters. Fermentation occurs with natural yeasts. A post
fermentation maceration occurs to extract more flavor, color and structure.
Maturation occurs in 100% new French barrique for up to 18 months. The
final wine is blended from a selection of barrels.
TASTING NOTES
The wine is full-bodied but silky, with elegant aromas of red currant, cassis, plum, and violet. An array of fruity, herbal and floral notes floods the palate, encapsulated by a subtle vanilla toastiness. Few Napa Valley wines combine weight and power with such graceful, and delicate sensitivity.
PRODUCT SPECS
- Alcohol: 14.6%
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
- Varietal: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon 20% Cabernet France 20% Merlot 5% Petit Verdot