Tasting Notes

Release Date: Spring 2013

The Domaine Cabernet is a mosaic of our home, the middle of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Reflecting the five classic Bordeaux varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon 75%, Merlot 12%, Cabernet Franc 8%, Petit Verdot 4% and Malbec 1%, all the vineyards, including Domaine and Estate, are grown in rugged high mountain sites and are farmed to rigorous standards. The goal is to produce a Bordeaux-styled Cabernet from the historically best part of our appellation.

Our methods are consistent with the Estate Cabernet: moderate ripeness at harvest, native fermentations, no manipulation and two years cellaring of cave cellaring in high quality barrles. The wine displays a dense ruby-purple color with an earthy, cassis nose and nuances of black cherry, licorice and espresso. The elegant, middle weight flavors are pure and classic with black currant, cedar and earth. Tannins are moderate given our low extraction fermentation (i.e. short) yet bolstered with an overall seamless structure and lengthy finish.

Cellaring, given its coastal mountain provenance, is promising for another fifteen to twenty years.

Production

2,737

Tech Notes

Yield: 2.8 tons per acre

Harvest: September 12th-October 5th

Numbers @ Harvest: 23.8° Brix, 3.45 pH, 7.0 grams acidity

Cepage: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc,  4% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec

Barrel Regimen: 50% French, 50% American- 1/4 new; aged 24 months in barrel

Bottling: August 2011; no fining or filtration

Alcohol: 14.2%

Reviews

92 points Wine and Spirits Magazine - October 2013

Vinous and bright, this is a claret with red-fruited intensity. It has the cool freshness of Santa Cruz Mountain Cabernet, dark and woodsy with the gentle richness of savory fruit tannins.

91 points Robert Parker Jr's The Wine Advocate - August 2012

Issue #202

The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon comes across as considerably sweeter and rounder than its older sibling. Layers of expressive fruit linger on the radiant, juicy finish. This is an especially open and expressive Cabernet Sauvignon. The sweet tannins should allow it to drink beautifully upon release. The blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. Anticipated maturity 2012-2019.

91 points Steve Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar - November/December 2013

Deep ruby.  Smoky cherry and dark berries on the highly perfumed nose.  Plush and open-knit, offering ripe blackberry and cherry flavors and hints of candied licorice and sweet chewing tobacco.  Picks up a minty nuance with air and finishes with a suave vanilla quality and smooth, harmonious tannins.  This drinks very well now but there’s plenty of depth to see it through a decade of age, no problem.