2007 Reserve Selection Cabernet Sauvignon

The deep garnet colored Cabernet opens with inviting aromas of mixed berries including blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, with layers of white pepper and cloves. On the palate, this big, bold, well-structured Cabernet has concentrated flavors of dark chocolate, tobacco and spice, with a toasty, long finish. Delicious at an early age, but will benefit from additional cellaring of 10-15 years past the vintage date.

The grapes for the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon were sourced from our estate vineyards in Rutherford and St. Helena, as well as select nearby growers. Both estate vineyards are located on gravelly alluvial fan soils with good drainage, necessary for growing excellent quality Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyards are diligently monitored throughout the growing season to balance the crop size and quality. Shoot thinning and leaf removal early in the growing season followed by cluster thinning at veraison, help to achieve evenly ripened grapes with concentrated flavors.

The grapes were hand sorted, then crushed to tank and fermented on the skins for fourteen days at 75-80 degrees with pumpovers performed twice daily. After fermentation, the wine was gently pressed, racked and moved to barrels for 18 months of aging using 30% new, medium toast, tight grained French oak barrels. Tight grained barrels yield oak character to wines slowly for a consistent, well-rounded aging process while imparting subtle oak influences. The final blend includes Merlot and Cabernet Franc for added depth and complexity.

This wine pairs well with grilled rib eye steak and baked potato, smoked duck with creamy polenta, leg of lamb, barbequed pork ribs, and hearty pasta dishes such as tortellini with creamy pesto or lasagna with meat sauce.