Vintage

The 2019 vintage started with copious rain, followed by a long, warm summer with few extreme heat events. The relatively mild end of the season helped to preserve freshness and finesse in the fruit. On the whole, the fruit was exceptional with bright acidity and ample texture promising an outstanding vintage.

Rafael Vineyard

The vineyard is located northwest of the town of Napa just within the boundary of the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley AVA. Bordering Mt. Veeder, it’s a unique, highly prized hillside location with southern exposure and steep slopes that dramatically rise to well over 400 feet in elevation. Sitting in the Dry Creek alluvial fan, the well drained soils on the upper terraces are stony, volcanically derived, transitioning to silty clay loam on the lower portion of the site. The Cabernet Sauvignon vines are planted on 110R rootstock, using Clone 7. Yields are low and the vines are meticulously cane-pruned to optimize vine balance between vigor and yield. Vineyard practices are certified Napa Green Land and Fish-Friendly Farming, one of the most comprehensive environmental certifications in California.

Vinification

Our philosophy is that minimal intervention in winemaking practices allows for the best expression of the unique characteristics of the vintage as captured in the grapes. The 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes came from old vines near the highest point of the Rafael estate vineyard. The grapes were destemmed to tank and fermented on the skins for two weeks. The fermenting wine was gently punched down by hand or pumped over twice a day. The wine was then pressed off of the skins and put in once-used French oak barrels, and aged for 22 months before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. ML fermentation proceeded naturally to completion in barrel.

Tasting Notes

The wine is reflective of the remarkably striking tension in this vintage of flavor depth, density and purity. Aromatically perfumed and exotic, aromas of blackberry, black cherry, chocolate, fresh roasted coffee beans, and anise jump out of the glass. Notes of sage, pine, leather, mint and forest floor allow the savory tannins to frame a freshness in the mid-palate and reveal a long, powerful and deliciously structured finish. This vintage is deeply satisfying and utterly beautiful. Additional layers of complexity will be revealed over several days and will age gracefully in a well-kept cellar for 20+ years.

Technical Information

Harvest Dates: October 12, 2019, Sugar: 24.6 degrees Brix, Titratable Acidity: 4.6 g/l, pH: 3.73, Alcohol: 14.5%