2015 Cabernet Sauvignon

The grapes for this Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon were hand-picked and delivered to the winery.  Then they were de-stemmed, sorted, and pumped into a tank for a ve-day cold soak at 50 degrees. When the fermentation began, we pumped over the tank twice per day. Native yeast fermentation lasted for 16 days, followed by a short heated extended maceration of 3 days. The free run was drained from the tank overnight. The wine was barreled down into 70% new French oak and 30% once used French oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation occurred naturally in the barrel. This wine was barrel aged for 24 months and bottled unfiltered.

The 2015 vintage was the third straight year of near perfect growing conditions. The long growing season had warm temperatures, mild heat spikes, and consistent weather throughout harvest. We harvested all of our Cabernet Sauvignon from Celestial Block XCVI on September 22nd. The excellent conditions this year allowed the fruit to hang longer on the vine and fully develop.

"The nose here is suggestive, offering up dark notes of dark plums, licorice and dark chocolate, as well as fresh herbs, cedar and ash. The palate shows lovely tension with pretty acidity, grainy tannins and a taut line of acidity. A long, chewy finish. Drink in 2021." - 93 pts, James Suckling