Grapes: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, 2% Merlot.
Region: Rutherford Estate Vineyard, Dollarhide Estate Vineyard, Napa Valley.
Winemaker’s Notes: Opulent purple and red hues present in this wine. Cassis, black plum and anise aromas combine with subtle vanilla from the toasted oak. Juicy blackberry and black currant flavors mingle with black licorice, espresso and toasted oak in this structured yet elegant cabernet sauvignon with velvety tannins.
Vintage: The 2018 growing season started with a relatively mild winter and spring. There was some decent rain in early and mid-January, almost none in February, and a fair amount in March and April which filled up our lakes and kicked off the growing season. With a warm July, markedly cooler temperatures in August with no heat spikes, the weather remained ideal through September and October. There was a little rain in early October, but warm weather and dry breezes followed, allowing the grapes to hang on the vines longer and further develop their flavors. Harvest continued through November because of the ideal weather enabling the fruit to stay on the vine with no pressure from Mother Nature. The quality of the fruit was terrific, and the resulting wines show tremendous promise.
Analysis: Alcohol 14.5%, pH 3.70, acidity 6.6 g/L, residual sugar <0.2%.
