Sans

Wine Profile

Production Notes

Varietal Content: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon; Cooperage: 100% French oak, 50% New, 50% Neutral

Winemaker Notes

Rutherford has long been legendary for the character and complexity of its Cabernets, and this wine shows why. On the palate, flowing layers of sweet blackberry, black cherry and blueberry are supported by a velvety mouthfeel and classic Rutherford notes of dusty minerality. As the wine evolves, sophisticated flavors of sage, graphite, sweet tobacco leaf and violet emerge adding nuance and depth to the lush fruit finish.

Production

In Napa Valley, a warm, dry spring resulted in any early budbreak, while an extended flowering period brought a return to normal yields after three years of abundant crops. With berry weights down, the grapes offered great concentration, while retaining excellent acidity. We had one of our earliest harvests in the past decade, with our first white grapes arriving at the winery on July 31st. A light rain in mid-September nourished the vines, while providing welcome additional hangtime. Overall, the quality of the fruit was exceptional, with our white wines showing both richness and complexity, and our red grapes displaying a fine balance between elegance and intensity, with gorgeous dark fruit flavors.

Other Notes

Released: September 2018