Frog's Leap Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon (3 Liter Bottle) 1997
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Converging tectonic plates, subduction zones, geosynclines, volcanic eruptions, huge alluvial washes and the five million years of daily weathering all for the single purpose of producing the unique gravelly loam soils ideal for cabernet sauvignon. Perhaps the surest sign of a wine of character is that it has the ability to transport you, captivate you and ultimately draw you back to its source of uniqueness.
The 1997 Rutherford, with its high percentage of cabernet franc, has beautiful aromas of blackberries and earth. The flavors are fabulous, full of igneous chirts, franciscan sediments and millions of old alluvial pebbles. This is truly a wine of time and place. -John Williams, Winemaker
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Frog's Leap is a family-owned winery dedicated to sustainable principles and committed to producing wines with balance, restraint and respect for terroir. Frog's Leap makes its home amongst 200 acres of vineyards in Rutherford at the historic ‘Red Barn’. Founded by John Williams in 1981, Frog’s Leap continues to be family-owned and operated. As the owner and winemaker, John has made every vintage for over four decades. Frog’s Leap has earned an enviable reputation for our sincere dedication to sustainable principles and our commitment to handcrafting wines. This noted ‘ghost winery’ was built in 1884 as the Adamson Winery and renovated in 1994 as Frog's Leap's permanent home. A handsome bi-level barrel chai completes the state-of-the-art winemaking facility and guests are received in the warm and welcoming LEED-certified hospitality center.
Now in its fourth decade of production, Winemakers John and Rory Williams hand-craft Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Merlot, and an Estate-Grown Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon. Using the best of Napa Valley's organically grown, dry- farmed grapes and the most traditional winemaking techniques, Frog's Leap strives to produce wines that deeply reflect the soils and climate from which they emanate. Thoughtfully shepherding both natural and earned resources, Frog’s Leap consistently returns more than it takes from the environment.
First certified by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) in 1988 Frog's Leap has been a leader in the industry for decades. Fundamentally, organic farming means that if you take from the soil, you must return to the soil in equal measure. In the case of regenerative farming – a practice firmly embraced by Frog's Leap – you must return to the soil in greater measure than you take. Using a traditional approach to winemaking Frog’s Leap’s intention is to craft wines that are deeply reflective of the influences from which they emanate. Frog’s Leap makes wine of balance and restraint, with respect for the natural expression of the vine. The winery relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost and biological pest control to maintain soil productivity and control pests on a farm. Organic farming excludes the use of manufactured fertilizers and pesticides, plant growth regulators and genetically modified organisms. Organic farming involves mechanical weed control (via cultivating or hoeing) rather than herbicidal weed control.
Frog's Leap presents a relaxed approach to enjoying wine. An easy hospitality and warm sense of humor is juxtaposed with a more serious sensibility when making wine. The wines produced range from Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay to Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc. The winery has quite the line up to offer and hope you’ll try one of these delicious wines that harmoniously combine quality, sustainability and value.