Winemaker Notes
This inaugural vintage is perfectly timed with a season that offered beautiful balance and tannic structure that rivals Bordeaux. Aromas of violet, black cherry and blackberry rise from the glass. The palate boasts a broad range of flavors that is a continuous progression of fresh blackberry, currant, espresso bean and bitter sweet chocolate, followed by oak spices reminiscent of a sweet cigar box mixed with toasted hazelnut coffee. These flavors linger with fine grain, velvet-like tannins; the finish has tremendous length and persistence.
While Sonoma County is acclaimed—and rightfully so—for its Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Zinfandels, it also produces exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Of the region’s 18 American Viticultural Areas, only a handful produce top-notch Cabernet Sauvignon. These appellations include Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, Sonoma Valley and Dry Creek Valley. Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignons made in these appellations can offer a complex array of aromas and flavors. Fruit notes such as blackberry, blackcurrant, cassis, black cherry and raspberry often are accompanied by hints of graphite, dusty earth, cigar box, toast and vanilla. The varietal has a rich history in Sonoma, and some of these Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet-based blends rival the best from Napa Valley.