Cabernet Sauvignon-Diamond Dust Vineyard-Alexander Valley – 2018

• Diamond Dust vineyard sits on Alexander Valley benchland facing south/southeast
• Unique topography protects vineyard from wind
• Early morning fog and deep gravelly loam soils ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon
• One of the great uncompromising vineyards of Alexander Valley and certainly a “trig point” for growing classy Bordeaux varieties

• Warm February but 2018 cooler start than recent vintages
• Cool spring with longer bloom but consistent, near-perfect fruit set
• Moderate summer temperatures with few heat spikes
• Later verasion with harvest 2-3 weeks later than recent years
• Hand harvesting with cool mornings compared to 2017
• 100% barrel fermentation
• Aging: 18 months in Taransaud & Boutes barrels, 25% new, 60% French, 20% American, 20% Hungarian oak

The color is bright and deep. Purple edges with deep red middle. The nose is immediately fruit driven. Ripe raspberries, black cherry and plum. In other words it smells just like a Cabernet grape. In the mouth complexity is the key. Lush ripe cherries and ripe blue berries on the front of the tongue. The mid mouth is all about power and richness. Comprised of dark plum and chocolate. The finish has supple round tannins with a long elegant finish.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon; Alcohol: 14.5%; Diamond Dust vineyard on benchland in Alexander Valley facing south/southwest; hand harvested, yield 3.5 tons/acre; 100% barrel fermented; aging: Taransaud and Boutes oak barrels, 25% new, 60% French, 20% American, 20% Hungarian for 18 months; bottled unfined.

• 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• pH: 3.7
• Total Acidity: 5.4 g/l
• Yield: 3.5 tons/acre
• Clone: Jackson