Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley is known the world over for fine cabernet sauvignon. Diverse soils and microclimates express their distinct personalities through remarkable wines. We blend our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from special spots throughout the region: The renowned cabernet sauvignon appellations of Rutherford and Oakville impart classic Napa Valley bold fruit intensity, while the warmer Calistoga area to the north, and the cooler southern reaches of the Suscol watershed contribute layers of complexity and depth of flavor. On volcanic rocky hillsides, grapes undergo a beneficial struggle that results in intense fruit, firm tannins and distinctive minerality, while in the deep, well-drained soils of the valley floor, grapes develop ripe black fruit concentration, balanced acidity and supple tannins. 2018 Vintage The 2018 growing season was a dream come true. Early spring rains replenished the soils, clusters ripened evenly over a long, slow summer with no heat spikes, and grapes reached full maturity right on time. Yields at harvest were abundant and of very high quality. Winemaking We harvested grapes during the cool night hours to ensure the fruit retained freshness, purity, and natural acidity. Clusters were hand-sorted and destemmed, then whole berries were also hand-sorted. Partial crush gave us optimum extraction of color, flavor, and tannin from the grape skins. Prior to fermentation, grapes underwent a “cold soak,” which softens the grape skins and further helps extract color and tannin.

Following fermentation the wine was transferred to barrels for malolactic fermentation. The wine aged in French oak barrels (55% new) for 17 months, then our winemaker blended the diverse components to add layers of complexity to the concentrated, classic Napa Valley tapestry of flavors. Tasting Notes Our classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon reveals aromas of ripe blackberry and boysenberry with hints of dark chocolate and sweet oak. On the palate, the dark fruit is balanced by fresh acidity and lush tannins that carry all the way over a lingering, elegant finish—with just a kiss of minerality. Enjoy this wine now, with everything from lamb burgers to filet mignon and fire-roasted portobello mushrooms—or lay the wine down and watch it continue to develop complexity in the bottle for years to come.

Grape Variety: 88.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.2% Merlot, Alcohol Content: 14.8% 3% Petit Verdot, 1.1% Syrah, Total acidity: 0.66g/100ml .5% Malbec, .5% Cabernet pH: 3.64 Franc, .5% Petite Sirah Winemaker: Stephanie Jacobs Vineyards: 100% Napa Valley Harvest Dates: September 22 – October 10, 2018 Barrel Aging: 17 Months In 55% New French Oak Bottled: April 2020