Winemaker Notes
From the back of the Beckstoffer To Kalon vineyard, this wine throws off an amazingly deep ruby color tinged with an vibrant purple hue. Boasting off-the-charts richness and a stunningly majestic perfume of black, blue and red fruits, it is a successful expression of Cabernet Clone 7 from the world class vineyard. With its fruit forward profile, the wine opens up immediately with red rose aromatics mixed with spices and blue/black fruit. The mid palate is full bodied and loaded with rounded tannins that seem perfectly embedded within the core of this wine. Seamless and loaded with waves of decadent Cabernet Sauvignon fruit, this wine once again borders on stunning. While drinking superb now, give this beautiful wine a few years in the cellar to round out and you’ll be rewarded by additional nuances for years to come.
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.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.