Winemaker Notes
The ancient volcano, Mount St. Helena, towers over Sonoma County. On the western slope of the mountain, about 1,000 feet up in elevation, sits Kendall-Jackson’s Trace Ridge vineyard. Here, Cabernet Sauvignon is king, in and above the morning fog line, where ultimately the warm sunshine creates small grape clusters with intense flavors. This estate overlooks the original Trace, or Settler’s path, linking Sonoma County to Lake County. Kendall-Jackson’s "ONE" Cabernet Sauvignon showcases this exceptional, award-winning mountain vineyard site.
Tucked into a mountainside in the heart of Knight’s Valley, Trace Ridge has a climate similar to the Mediterranean, warm with a maritime influence. Fog wafts up to the region from Chalk Hill, Alexander Valley and Calistoga. Volcanic rock, volcanic loam, fractured rock and thin topsoil produce tiny, concentrated, mountain-side berries, resulting in rich, bold wines with flavors of black fruit, espresso, slight cigar box and chocolate.
Winemaker Susan Lueker balances the structure and concentration of this exceptional fruit. The grapes were harvested at the peak of ripeness and she maintains their structure and texture with careful attention to tannins and letting the vineyard show. The “ONE” Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied, ripe, round wine and a classic example of Knight's Valley perfection.
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.
A small and picturesque valley separating Napa Valley on its south border and Alexander Valley to its north, Knights Valley excels in similar varieties as the two aforementioned appellations, namely red Bordeaux varieties and blends, as well as Sauvignon blanc. Originally established by Beringer Vineyards, today several outstanding producers claim acreage here. The circadian cooling effects of the nearby Pacific Ocean create a nighttime respite for vineyards during the hot growing season.