Description:

Vineyard 29 Cru Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018

Composition
98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot

Harvest Dates
October 10–18, 2018

Barrel Age
20 months, 80% new, 100% French oak

Cooperage
Taransaud, Demptos, Ermitage, Baron, Sylvain, Saury

Bottling Date
June 12, 2020

Alcohol
14.8%

pH/TA
3.78 / 0.57

Release Date
Fall 2021

Cases Produced
515

THE WINE

Representing the 27th vintage of cabernet from the 29 Estate, this vineyard never ceases to amaze us each harvest. The 2018 vintage is no exception and introduces itself with explosive notes of blue and black fruits complimented by hints of signature violets and cocoa powder. Rich and decadent upon entry with flavors of chocolate covered blueberries and cassis that guide the way to a seamlessly rich mid palate. Significant in weight but velvet in texture this wine is dark, structured and beautifully graceful. Mouthwatering acidity carries through the seemingly endless finish. This hand selected, meticulously crafted Estate Cabernet is only beginning to show what it is capable of and will continue to evolve over the next 20 years.

THE VINTAGE

The 2018 growing season began with a mild, beautiful Spring which extended flowering and provided ideal conditions for berry set, thus yielding uniform grape clusters. Temperatures were warm and steady throughout the summer, with very few heat spikes or dry wind patterns which were quite impactful during the 2017 growing season. The 2018 harvest began approximately two weeks later than the previous few vintages and it continued until the end of October. There was a minor rain event on October 2nd and 3rd but it did not negatively impact grape quality. It simply provided a break in the harvest as we allowed for a few dry out days before resuming the harvest. This long, drawn out, bountiful harvest yielded beautiful, dense, concentrated wines with intense color and a unique freshness to them.

THE VINEYARD

Our 29 Estate Vineyard sits on a hillside just at the “pinch” of Napa Valley’s hourglass shape. Excellent airflow provides natural frost protection, while the fertile clay loam soils encourage deeply rooted vines, yielding powerfully concentrated cabernet sauvignon tempered by markedly floral, velvet elegance and explosive aromatic.