Beautiful now and will age gracefully for another 7-10 years... that is if you can wait that long. Start the grill and bring on the meats.
VINEYARDS
Sourced from volcanic benchland vineyards in the heart of the valley east of the Mayacamas range. Perfect growing conditions, with lingering fog and warm daytime highs develop complex fruit due to an extended ripening period. This prolific vineyard was carefully planted for optimal sun exposure in soil composed of gravel, loam and volcanic deposits.
WINEMAKING NOTES
Employing classic, labor-intensive, small-lot winemaking techniques. Four-day cold-soak, hand punch downs for two weeks in open top fermenters. Aged in 60% new French oak for 18 months.
VINTAGE
Record-setting rain and cooler temperatures lengthened dormancy, with first signs of budbreak mid-march. Hotter than average days in June and July brought harvest mid-August with lower than average yields across all varieties.
Consulting Winemaker: Keith Emerson
Vintage: 2017
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Napa Valley
Aging: Aged in 60% new French oak for 18 months.
Brix: 24.1?
pH: 3.66
TA: 0.56 g/100ml
Release Date: August 2020
Alcohol: 14.1%
Inky, plush, and cellar-worthy
The nose is an aromatic riot—a decadent mashup of blackberry, black cherry, and plum swirled with whimsical notes of red licorice, vanilla, and cocoa. A savory dust of spice, cedar, and a gentle kiss of oak adds a sophisticated edge to this fruit-forward powerhouse.
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
95 Points
Lofty aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and plum mingle with hints of baking spices and a touch of violet. The palate reveals luscious flavors of ripe berries, complemented by notes of black pepper and a subtle earthiness. With well-integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.
94 Points
Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
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