Nose
This gorgeous Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon entices with
aromas of black cherry, orange zest and a touch of dust.
Palate
On the palate, layers of cherry, zest and dark
cocoa powder coat the mouth while a hint of fresh pine provides an appealing zing. Rich and full-bodied,
this wine’s tannins provide a reassuring grip underneath their supple, velvety mouthfeel – an indication of
age-worthiness and promise of evolving complexity with years of additional cellaring.
Growing Conditions
The 2012 growing season began relatively dry, continuing with a warm spring and perfect weather for fruit
set. The vines produced a record amount of high-quality small-berry clusters, enabling us to nurture the
crop with great precision. In all, we kept just half the initial yield to ensure optimal ripeness. The berries
developed exceptionally rich flavor, color and density.
Vineyards: Pahlmeyer Waters Ranch, Stagecoach, Rancho Chimiles
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Bottling
The wine was bottled unfined and minimally
filtered and bottled on May 9, 2014.
Winemaking
The grape clusters were hand-sorted and de-stemmed, and individual berries selected by our winemaking
team. After seven to fifteen days of a gentle cold soak in small open-top fermentors, the fruit began 100%
native yeast fermentation. After two to three weeks, the fruit was gently pressed and the juice was moved
to barrel where it finished primary and malolactic fermentation, also native.
Aging
The wine continued to age in
65% new French oak Bordeaux barrels for eighteen months.
Appearance
A deep black core and garnet rim.
