Our 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon was grown at 800 feet elevation in the “banana belt” of the Chalk Hill District east of Shiloh Ridge, where sunshine wakes us up nearly every day. While the valley floors of the Russian River, Alexander, and Napa Valleys experience hot afternoons, due to our elevation, we benefit from the cooling Pacific breezes moderating the temperature. This gives fewer heat spikes and longer hang-times. Cane-pruned vines were hand-harvested in the wee hours of the morning. We hand-sorted to ensure optimal maturity. Bordeaux inspired us, as we blended two other varietals, Cab Franc and Merlot to create our Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon.

After record-breaking rainfall in late February, a relatively cool spring followed. The month of May brought more heavy rains. Thankfully, summer temperatures were perfect and mild. In late July, veraison was underway and I dropped any unevenly ripening clusters. This helped flavor concentration. Canopy management and fruit thinning were extremely important at multiple stages of vine development in 2019.

The wine is deep garnet in color with aromatics of red fruit and cola greeting you on the nose along with a hint of bay leaf. The first sip opens to blueberry and blackberry, cassis, and cocoa which are highlighted by an acidic backbone. Briary tones and a bright, mineral-tinged finish with smooth tannins lend to a lingering finish.