2017 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Vintage Recap: The year began with abundant rainfall, followed by a mild Spring resulting in extended flowering with little shatter. A Labor Day weekend heatwave kicked harvest into high gear, then cool weather allowed sugar levels to return to normal. By October 8 nearly 90 percent of the 2017 grape tonnage was in when warm, fierce winds fueled an unprecedented firestorm. Napa Valley's winemakers remain committed to upholding the region's reputation for making some of the world's finest wines and early articles about the 2017 vintage describe the wines with words such as "finesse," "great complexity of flavor" and "elegant."

Winemaker Notes: 17 Oakville holds true to past vintages both in blend and style.  Upgrade in 2017 was the oak program. 100% new French oak barrels, new coopers were Darniju and Tarasaud.  It really helped round out the mouth feel with an even sweeter tannin structure than past vintages.  Currently showing very well, supple, rich and smooth with intense brambleberry, chocolate, stone fruit and dried violets on the pallet.