Whitehall Lane
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon
, Napa Valley
Leonardini Estate

96 Points - Wine Enthusiast, Cellar Selection
93 Points - James Suckling
93 Points - Wine Advocate

Quintessential Cabernet Sauvignon using all five Bordeaux varietals begins on the nose with black cherry cola, red currants, caramel, licorice, peppercorn, and a hint of lavender.  Its balance and mid-palate are most notable, providing long, plush tannins alongside its dense fruit character.  The palate delivers soft red raspberries, concentrated redolent cherries, brown sugar, cherry cobbler crisp, vanilla bean, and spice.  Age-worthy, voluptuous, and full-bodied with long, plush tannins.

The underlying tannin structure, complexity, and ample fruit will evolve over time and age gracefully for 15-20 years.

WINEMAKING

Upon hand harvesting in the early morning hours, grapes were carefully destemmed and sent to tank for a whole berry fermentation. Then cold-soaked in tank at 45˚F for 4-7 days, allowing for increased color, aroma, and flavor extraction.  After inoculation, the grape must (juice, skins, and seeds) fermented at 82˚F, which allowed for a hot extraction on the skins.  Fermentation cap management, were pumped juice over the skins two times per day, wetting the cap evenly for a nice healthy fermentation.  After fermentation and pressing, the wine was sent to 70% new French oak, 30% neutral French oak barrels, aging for 26 months. The final blend for the Leonardini Estate is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 6%, Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

VINTAGE

The 2019 vintage was a long, ideal growing season for our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Bud break began in late March to early April, leading to a Spring that was mild and dry.  Flowering proved to be long and gave way to a healthy set of uniform grape clusters.  Summer was also quite warm and long, leading to a cooling effect near the end of the season and into Fall.  Throughout the vineyard growing season, there were no heat spikes and the temperatures were steady and even-keel.  The consistent summer weather encouraged grapes to ripen in mid-September to late October when they were in perfect balance.  The fruit is from their Estate vineyards in Rutherford, St. Helena, and the Oak Knoll District appellations.

Winemaker: Jason Moulton
Vintage:  2019
Appellation:  100% Napa Valley
Varietal Composition:  78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 6%, Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 14.8%

Tasting Notes  PDF

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