Varieties: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Vineyards: Dead Fred Vineyard, York Vineyard, Helen’s Gate Vineyard, Red Hen Vineyard, Bengier Vineyard, Matthiasson Vineyard, Phoenix Vineyard
Locations: Coombsville, Rutherford and Oak Knoll AVAs, CA
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 794 cases

The nose shows abundant red fruits, lots of bright cherry along with bramble-berries such as blackberry, cranberry, mulberry and framed with hints of mineral/herbal characters such as graphite, cedar and pencil shavings. The palate is vibrant and fresh with medium tannin and beautiful acidity. Decanting is highly recommended.

Fermentation in small open-top tanks at low temperatures lasted around 3 weeks. Wine was pressed at dryness, blended immediately and aged for 20 months in a combination of mostly used and a few new barrels at less than 20% new French oak.

Dead Fred Vineyard in Coombsville sits on rocky volcanic soil with south-western exposure. York Vineyard is in the heart of Rutheford, on the classic gravelly alluvium known to create the famous “Rutherford Dust” character. The Helen’s Gate Vineyard sits on an east-facing hill along Whitehall lane on the Rutherford District of Napa Valley. The Red Hen Vineyard is on rocky alluvium next to Dry Creek, in the Oak Knoll District, with dry rocky soil and cool breezes. The Bengier Vineyard is also on Dry Creek, in the Oak Knoll District, but on gravelly soils in the mouth of the canyon. The Matthiasson Vineyard is on loamy alluvial soil on the west side of the Oak Knoll District. The Phoenix Vineyard is on shale soil on a steep hillside on the west side of the Oak Knoll District.