100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced entirely from our Estate vineyard in Dutch Henry Canyon between Switchback and hourglass vineyards at 450-500 feet elevation. In 1999 we planted this vineyard, which sits on the steepest part of our estate hidden high up in the Vaca Mountains. This wine is rich and layered with opulent blue fruit and notes of graphite, violets and spice. Aromatics of a floral nature with lots of nuance are heightened by a rich mouthfeel and a surprisingly delicate tannin structure.

While we source from several of Napa Valley’s most prestigious (Beckstoffer) vineyards, the quality of the fruit coming from this small Cloudy’s Estate Vineyard on the home ranch provides a different profile and a great contrast to the valley floor vineyards which led them to bottle it separately as a vineyard designate. Cloudy’s sits on the slopes of Dutch Canyon above Duckhorn’s Three Palms, Hourglass’ Blueline and Switchback Ridge vineyards. At this elevation Cloudy’s sits high above the floor but under the marine layer keeping the vines cooler throughout the day. The varying soils and exposures of the small steep vineyard allow for significant diversity among the various blocks.

The resulting wine is a silkier more elegant counterpart to its powerful stablemates from the Oakville bench. This wine will really shine in dining environments with its lush ripe fruit and polished texture, rich and balanced with ripe fruit and judicious use of oak.