Winemaker Notes
The near perfect growing season helped in crafting an amazing 2016 Rattlesnake. The color is opaque and near black at the core. Pure cassis transforms to blackberry and acai berries on the nose. Menthol, cedar and cocoa nibs are followed by a light wet volcanic rock minerality. On entry the wine is silky and plush. The palate has big dark berry fruit and concentrated cocoa elements. A myriad of spices follow. The tannins are pure chalk but balanced with the visocity and the mountain acidity. The long cassis finish caps off this phenomenal vintage. Cellaring would allow for great bottle bouquet development to complement the power of this amazing wine, 15-17 years (2033-2035).
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Deep garnet-purple, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Rattlesnake gives up notes of baked blackberries, crème de cassis and blueberry pie with hints of Marmite toast, chocolate box, menthol and cigar box. Full-bodied, the richly fruited palate delivers mouth-filling black berry preserves and savory layers with a compelling backbone of freshness and velvety tannins, finishing on a lingering minty note.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Above the town of St. Helena on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains sits the Spring Mountain District.
A dynamic region, its vineyards, cut by numerous springs and streams, vary in elevation, slope and aspect. Soils differ throughout with over 20 distinct types inside of the 8,600 acres that define the appellation. Within that area, only about 1,000 are planted to vineyards. Predominantly farmed by small, independent producers, the region currently has just over 30 wineries.
During the growing season, late afternoon Pacific Ocean breezes reach the Spring Mountain vineyards, which sit at between 400 and 1,200 feet. Daytime temperatures during mid summer and early fall remain slightly cooler than those of the valley floor.
Spring Mountain soils—volcanic matter and sedimentary rock—create intense but balanced reds with lush and delicate tannins. The area excels with Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot and in some cooler spots, Chardonnay.