Vine Cliff Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
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The Vine Cliff Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine crafted from our Estate Vineyards in Oakville and Calistoga. In 2005 the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon blend was a mix of approximately 5% Calistoga Pickett Ranch fruit and 95% Oakville Estate fruit. The Calistoga fruit contributes floral aromatics, mouth feel and finesse to the blend, while the Oakville fruit imparts structure and concentration. The 2005 growing season began in late spring with cool rainy weather. The long summer was very moderate and encouraged extra vine growth and increased cluster and berry size. The extra growth required constant work in the vineyard thinning shoots, thinning clusters, removing excess leaves and top canes. The long cool season was perfect for developing grapes with good maturity and flavors and with the sugar levels coming in slightly lower than in past vintages. We look forward to the resulting wines having great elegance and balance.
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Light in body for a Napa Cab but extremely elegant, this polished wine is fully ready to drink now. A blend of Oakville and Calistoga fruit, it’s rich in cherry, red and black currant and Dr. Pepper flavors.
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One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.