Nose
Reveals aromas of
boysenberry, cassis and huckleberry with a touch of soft spice.
Palate
The plush entry hits the palate with flavors of fresh baked berry
pie and allspice balanced with a hint of oak. Sweet tannins and a
structured finish result in a balanced wine that is a true expression
of the varietal and its terroir.
Growing Conditions
At the foot of Mount St. Helena, Calistoga’s warmer climate and
volcanic soils produce wines of unmistakable character. With a
southwestern exposure and deep, established roots that allow for
the use of minimal irrigation, the vines produce berries that were
crafted into a wine with excellent flavor, body and overall
complexity.
"Early, even and excellent" are three words used to describe the
2013 Napa Valley growing season and harvest. A warm and dry
spring saw early bud break and created ideal conditions for steady
flowering and even fruit set. A lengthy stretch of warm days and
cool nights during the long summer months maintained optimal
vine activity. Light rains in September had nearly no effect on
Napa Valley's treasured wine grapes that found optimal ripeness,
bringing exceptional quality to the crush pad and into the cellar.
Winemaking
After hand-harvesting between September 25th and October 3rd, the
grapes were fermented on the skins for 43 days with a mix of native
and inoculated fermentation
Aging
After fermentation, the wine was gently
pressed, racked and aged for 19 months in French oak barrels, 45%
new French Oak. A mix of Demptos, Seguin Moreau and Baron
French oak barrels from forests in the center of France impart their
oak on wines slowly for a consistent, well-rounded aging process
while yielding subtle oak influences to the Cabernet Sauvignon. The
result is a balanced wine that is a true expression of the varietal and
its terroir.
Appearance
Our 2012 vintage is a deep, dark red in the glass.
