Vineyard
Properties: Wurtele, Bales Creek, Gantner
Appellation:SpringMountainDistrict
ClonalSelections:7,4,337,169,341
Yields: 1.5-2 tons
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Growing Season
The near-perfect 2016 growing season started early, saw ideal weather conditions throughout and wrapped up as the valley’s first significant fall rainstorm arrived on October 14. Thanks to a relatively steady and mild July and August and then a series of warm days at the end of the growing season, vineyards were able to progress to perfect ripeness. Wines from the 2016 vintage are now quietly developing in cellars throughout Napa Valley and vintners are pinching themselves and smiling for the gift it appears Mother Nature has given them: a fifth consecutive vintage of stellar quality Napa Valley wines.
Harvest Date: September 20th to October 15th
Harvest Brix: 26.4
Winemaking
Hand harvested, picked at night
Gently de-stemmed and whole berries transferred to stainless steel
Cold Soaked for 48 Hours
Inoculated with D254, D80 and D21 yeast and fermented for 18 days on skins ! Free run juice drained from tank, settled for 24 hours, then racked to barrel
Aged 18 months in French Oak barrels, 40% new
Coopers—Nadalie, Orion and Ermitage, Gamba, Trueil
Composition—95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petite Sirah
Tasting Notes
Black currant, crème de cassis, black licorice and purple plum aromas with a touch of tar, pepperwood, and leather layered with caramel, baking spices, and cocoa. The brambly wild berry fruit on the palate is structured and compact on the forward palate and leads into layers of complex spices and dried sage. The earthly black fruit is mingled with cocoa powder on the finish. Drink now with decanting. Will benefit from 5-10 years in the cellar.
Cases Produced ! 735 cases