Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

The Art: Rolph Scarlett, a Canadian by birth, and a jeweler and set designer by trade, produced this gouache and graphite painting in 1940, at mid-point in his life and career. Deeply moved by the early improvisations of Kandinsky, Scarlett worked in the abstract and expressionistic styles. This untitled piece demonstrates the artist's interest in creating a "cosmic order" through the juxtaposition and ordering of color and shape against a picture plane.

After more than two decades in the limelight, Kenwood Vineyards' highly-acclaimed Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon reigns as a premier marriage of fine art and fine wine. Kenwood's goal for combining its finest Cabernet Sauvignon with the work of contemporary artists was to create an elegant, easily identifiable package, while promoting beautiful artwork at the same time.

The grapes used to craft each Artist Series release are as carefully selected as the artwork that will grace the bottle. Each year, Winemaker Mike Lee selects the finest small lots of Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and skillfully blends them to produce this Kenwood classic. While the winemaking philosophy of using only the most superior Cabernet fruit never changes, the style of Kenwood's Artist Series Cabernet has evolved over the years. The initial style of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon fruit with lots of oak aroma and flavor has evolved to a lighter Bordeaux-style blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc) with subtle oak complexity.

The Kenwood Artist Series is truly a successful marriage of wine and art, which has often been referred to as the "Chateau Mouton-Rothschild of America." Accordingly, the Artist Series collection has become highly sought after by wine collectors worldwide.