With its signature notes of black truffle, olive and wet earth, this wine is unmistakably from Patzimaro Vineyard. The earthy entry leads to a silky mid-palate that balances lush fruit, lifted acidity, approachable tannins and well-integrated oak, all leading to a lingering black currant finish with hints of tobacco leaf and anise.
Though the 2008 growing season presented certain challenges—from early frosts to drought conditions—a meticulous approach to viticulture and sorting yielded small crops with good concentration, highlighting soft, appealing tannins for our red varietals and bright acidity for our white grapes. A long, moderately cool summer led to a harvest that commenced in mid-August and concluded in early November. This relatively relaxed pace allowed us to pick in numerous passes to ensure quality, often focusing on individual rows or a single side of the vines.
Appellation: Napa Valley
Sub-appellation: St. Helena
Harvest Dates: October 13-27, 2008
Average Sugar at Harvest: 28.3° Brix
Varietal Content
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Cooperage
100% French oak Chateau-style barrels (60 gallons)
Barrel Aging: 18 months
Age of Barrels: 100% new
Production/Technical Data
Alcohol: 14.5%
Alcohol: 14.5%
.60 g/100 ml titratable acidity
10-12 days fermentation at 80°F
pH: 3.61
Bottled: July 2010
Release Date: September 2011
90 Points
Dark plums, cherries, mint, flowers, and licorice are some of the notes that emerge from this powerful, structure wine. More>