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%
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.