White Cottage Ranch
2009 "Risa" Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley

The perfect balance between power and grace...

When we discovered White Cottage Ranch and tasted their wines, we were wishing we had connected with them sooner. They make wines from 100% Estate fruit grown on their 73-acre property on Howell Mountain.  These 24 acres of vineyard are planted between elevations of 1600 and 2000 feet. The result is true mountain Cab, with a perfect balance between power and grace.

The 2009 White Cottage Ranch "Risa" Cabernet is a blend of 87% Cab Sauv, 6% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petite Sirah, which makes it essentially a Bordeaux style blend, with the Petite Sirag taking the place of the more common Petit Verdot.  The 2009 Risa is a concentrated, bright ruby color, with a nose that shows classic Cabernet aromas of black currant, tobacco leaf, and green peppercorn.  The palate is brighter and more overtly fruity, with blackberry and black cherry joined by spicy, earthy notes.  The tannins are silky, with good acidity carrying through on the finish.  While the nose shows Cabernet's slightly herbaceous side, the palate should please even those who shy away from this more classic style of Cabernet.  The result is a complex, layered wine that will pair with a variety of foods, and at this price is about as great a value as you will ever get for Howell Mountain Cabernet.

Vintage: 2009
Release Date: March 2012
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon 83%, Merlot 10%, Cabernet Franc 4%, Zinfandel 2.5%, Petit Syrah .5%
Appellation:  Howell Mountain
Primary Vineyards: White Cottage Ranch, Vineyard blocks 1, 2, 3 & 4
Tons per acre: 2.1
Barrel Program: French Oak, 30% new French Oak

Tasting Notes  PDF

About The Winery...

White Cottage Ranch is owned by Steve and Denise Adams. Their vision is to produce the best wines on Howell Mountain and present them in a world class winery destination.  Total production is approximately 1,500 cases with all the reds being produced from Estate-Grown fruit.

White Cottage Ranch was an historic 5,000-acre cattle ranch dating back to the 1800’s. Dotted by seven lakes, 13 creeks and eight year-round springs, with colorful points of interest such Grant's Staircase, Grouse Meadow Camp, Dead Man's Cave and Wild Lake, the tract is a treasure of California heritage and natural history. The massive ranch once spread from the entrance of what is now White Cottage Winery for miles along the western ridge of the Vaca range east to Mt. St. Helena.  The estate as we know it today was developed in 1989 with the winery built in 2005. 

Learn more at www.whitecottageranch.com.

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