Sherwin Family Vineyards Spring Mountain District Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
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With a successful career in construction development behind him and a true hands-on approach, Steve began clearing and planting vineyards around the original acres virtually by himself. He planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, and finished 14 acres later.
Sherwin Family Vineyards released their first wine, a 1996 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, in late 1999. A scant 140 cases were produced and quickly discovered by several local restaurants, retailers, and individual customers.
Marked by the firm backbone of Spring Mountain fruit, their Cabernet Sauvignon shows remarkable density and concentration. Produced and cellared on the property in a new gravity-flow winery, Steve employs traditional winemaking methods of fermenting in one-ton bins, along with hand punch downs and hand racking.
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.