Nose
boasts alluring, complex aromas of dense dark cherry, boysenberry and blackcurrant fruit supplemented by enticing toasted oak and dark chocolate scents.
Palate
Rich and lush on the palate with deeply concentrated cassis, blackberry and black fig flavors, the wine culminates in a remarkably long finish showcasing ripe fruit, dark chocolate and wood spice tones framed by finely grained tannins.
Growing Conditions
2012 was a near-ideal growing season in Napa Valley, with a warm, dry spring fostering early budbreak and trouble-free flowering and grape set. Consistently mild summer weather free of rain or unwelcome heat spikes allowed us to harvest our cabernet sauvignon grapes with an optimal balance of ripe, concentrated fruit flavors and lively acidity.
Winemaking
Each lot of our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is separately harvested, fermented and barrel-aged before blending. Each is also cold-soaked for two days prior to fermentation to enhance color, flavor and tannin extraction. Tank size, yeast strain, fermentation temperature and barrel type are specifically tailored to the fruit character of each lot. In 2012, the component wines aged six months in French oak barrels, 54% new, before they were blended in May, 2013. The final blend then spent another 12 months in barrel before bottling in May, 2014.
Aging
18 months in French oak barrels, 54% new
