Nose
Our 2012 Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon
offers up mountainside aromatics of brambly thickets with a
touch of spice.
Palate
Upon the palate, cardamom and black plum
are complemented with hints of citrus zest and Orange
Pekoe tea. This wine presents sweet, round tannins and a
coating mouth feel.
Growing Conditions
Our inaugural release from the Diamond Mountain District
AVA, is harvested from some of the highest and oldest
vineyards in the Napa Valley. Our Diamond Mountain
District Cabernet Sauvignon grapes benefit from volcanic
soils and direct sunlight, resulting in grapes with brighter
acidity and bold, powerful tannins.
"Classic" and "perfect" are just two accolades being
bestowed upon the 2012 Napa Valley growing season and
harvest. Textbook conditions saw near-ideal spring bud
break, steady flowering, even fruit set, and a lengthy stretch
of warm days and cool nights during the long summer
months. Late and light rains held off until Napa Valley's
treasured wine grapes found optimal ripeness, bringing
exceptional quality to the crush pad and into the cellar.
Winemaking
After harvesting on October 18th, the grapes were fermented
on the skins for 33 days.
Aging
After a native fermentation, the
wine was gently pressed, racked and aged for 18 months in
a mix of Seguin Moreau and Demptos French oak barrels,
45% new French Oak. Tightly grained, 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.
