Sbragia’s 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Andolsen Vineyard emerges from a site on the western side of Dry Creek Valley. A blast of dark red fruit melds into iron, smoke, tobacco and underbrush notes. In 2011 the flavors are bright and focused throughout. There are no hard edges or angular contours, but plenty of Dry Creek personality.

Accolades

Rated 91 - Antonio Galloni, VINOUS MEDIA

Vineyard

I buy these grapes from Dr. Andolsen, our long-time friend (over 20 years) and family doctor. We select the fruit from my favorite blocks on this vineyard on the west side of Dry Creek in the rolling hills of the Coastal Range in Sonoma County, California. It’s a great piece of land and the wine it makes offers an elegant, yet ripe, rich cherry characteristic that I always associate with this appellation.

Vintage

A wet winter and spring continued with rainfall into mid-June. This delayed bloom and disrupted fruit set resulting in shatter in parts of the region. This set the stage for a long, cooler-than-average growing season with a later-than-average harvest. The cloud cover and cool temperatures delayed vine development by several weeks at the onset of the growing season. Few high heat events occurred at any point this year, growers managed more open vine canopies to ensure sunlight, warmth and good air circulation around the grape clusters. After a consistently cool summer season, significant mid-October rain pushed the vintage even later. But growers were rewarded with weeks of fantastic weather, a prolonged Indian summer that provided needed ripening time. Quality looks very good with lower alcohols, good structure and length on the palate.

Winemaking

I believe in taking a minimalist approach to this wine during winemaking in order to preserve the rustic qualities that I love about this Dry Creek Cabernet that is always evident when it comes into the winery at Harvest. The 2011 Andolsen Cabernet Sauvignon was aged for 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels imparting cedar and brown spice aromas and flavors and supple tannins. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation which softened the tannins and contributed to a rich, lengthy finish. Adam and I blended in a small amount of Cabernet Franc adding structure and subtle complimentary herbal characteristics.

Winemaker Comments

Dry Creek Cabernets have a distinctive profile that I have always loved and this Cabernet showcases the best of those characteristics. Sweet red fruit and anise aromas are followed by bright acidity, plush flavors of black fruit and sweet spice. The tannins are complemented by a supple mouth feel and an elegant finish.