• 1996 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L.
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1996 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L

1996 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L

$638.00
$638.00

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The wine has a deep ruby red color. It opens with fragrant fruit aromas that lean to black current and plum, with toasty oak adding a lovely cedar tone to the cassis. Subtle hints of mint and anise waft through the background. The wine displays a round, full entry with soft tannins. Evolution is rich yet velvety, and the finish is firm but silky, and aging well.

Wine Specs

Appellation: Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley – Estate Grown & Bottled
Élevage: 22 months in 100% new French oak

Winemaker’s Comments

Good color with deep ruby-garnet hues and nice concentration. Sweet perfume aromas of blackberry and cassis are surrounded by spicy oak tones and a hint of red apple skin. The attack is polished and silky, exhibiting nice integration of oak and fruit with a lovely interplay of ripe cherries, cocoa and spices. The flavors persist with an elongated finish that slowly fades from the palate. Excellent balance and structure connecting the brightness of mountain fruit with the mellowness of maturity. Decanting 30 to 60 minutes prior to service opens the wine nicely and allows the layers of flavors to fully express.

Vineyards: La Perla 64%, Chevalier 29%, Alba 4%, Miravalle 3%

Additional Notes

Unseasonably warm winter coupled with lots of moisture brought on an early bud break. This was followed by a fairly cool spring, and intermittent rain during the May bloom period causing some reduction in crop. What started as a cool summer in June turned into a warm one with four heat spells in July and August that brought early verasion and hastened the ripening process. A dramatic cooling trend in late August continued into September, slowing sugar development and allowing flavors to catch up. Harvest proceeded steadily with an ideal combination of cool nights, early morning fog, and warm afternoons.

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