Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (95%), Petite Sirah (5%)
Aging: 30 Months in 80% French Oak Barrels (50% new)
Cases Produced: 212
Alcohol: 14.8%
The color is opaque brick red and the wine o ers copious amounts of cedar, spice and black currants nicely buttressed by toasty oak. After some time in the glass, other avors will develop such as leather, wet leaves and tobacco. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, the tannins are present without being astringent. Well-balanced with an aged “Bordeaux-like” character, this wine is showing remarkably well now and yet will age 10-15 years.
The fruit from Rutherford (60%) is chosen in vintages that appear to be earlier than normal and helps to mitigate the monstrous tannins from mountain fruit in warm years. Pritchard Hill fruit (35%) contributes a prominent and consistent character to Noble Wines Cabernet Sauvignon. Clone 337 provides the intensity and backbone of this vintage, while Clone 7 brings the fl esh and fruitiness to the wine. Th e remaining 5% is Petite Sirah which helps round out the blend’s structure.
Bud break occurred earlier than many vintners could remember and the trend carried forward throughout the growing season. Heat spikes occurred in June and at scattered intervals throughout the summer season. Growers held on as acid balance eventually caught up. Temperatures were steady into one of the earliest harvests in Napa Valley. Grape quality was very good with a crop that was smaller than average.