Cakebread Cellars Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

The grapes for this Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon come from a selection of Cakebread Cellars Estate ranches and superior family-owned vineyards located throughout the valley's finest Cabernet Sauvignon appellations. Long-term relationships with growers ensure an annual supply of top-quality fruit from diverse sites. This allows the crafting of a stylistically consistent and complex Cabernet marrying the lush black fruit and sturdy tannins typical of the valley's warmer northern districts with the bright fruit and acidity characteristic of its cooler southern climates. Each individual lot of fruit was hand-harvested at night and cold-soaked for two days prior to fermentation to foster early color, flavor and tannin extraction. The separate lots were then fermented, and barrel aged before blending, with tank size, yeast strain, fermentation temperature and barrel type specifically tailored to the fruit character of each lot. 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 with everything from lamb burgers to filet mignon and fire-roasted portobello mushrooms. (from the vintner)