#58 of TOP 100, Wine Spectator 2014

Only 1,250 cases made

Power meets elegance in this well-balanced rendition of the Cabernet Sauvignon. Notes of ripe fruit and dark cherries are offset by aromas of cassis and smoke as they unfold in the glass. Blackberry pie, ripe plum, and cedar flavors turn bright on the palate revealing a strong tannin structure and dense core. The silky mouthfeel is woven throughout each layer before melting into a graceful finish.

The 2010 harvest was an exciting one that kept us on our toes by throwing a few curve balls to the valley. After three years on the dry side, we were relieved to have the much needed rainfall, even though it delayed bud break by a few weeks. The cloud cover that stuck around for the beginning of the growing season insulated the valley, eliminating any frost damage, which was an added bonus. Over the summer, temperatures were cooler than normal, dragging out the growing season and causing us all to be extra aware of canopy management so we didn't get surprised with mildew problems. However, thinned out canopies meant little sun protection when temperatures spiked to the triple digits in late August. We ended up dropping some fruit and spending extra time hand-sorting when we got it back to the winery. The extra effort was well worth it as the grapes that remained brought concentrated flavors with a lot of complexity that made one of our best wines to date.