2021 Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon

Vineyard:

Properties: Wurtele, Bales Creek
Appellation:  Spring Mountain District
Clonal Selections: 7,4,337,169
Yields: 2.5 tons/acre

Growing Season:

2021 The Joy is Back 

The 2021 vintage will be remembered for low yields with intensely-flavored, small sized berries and a smooth and uneventful harvest season. The season started off with very little rain, leading to the 2nd year of drought conditions in Napa Valley, Harvest began early with white wine grapes picked on July 30th and red wine grapes beginning on August 31. While concerning in the long term, the drought of 2021 resulted in a more natural load on the vines, requiring less pruning and dropping of fruit. The resulting grapes are packed full of flavor. Winemakers across the valley are excited about the prospects of the 2021s and it is likely the smaller yields per vine and smaller berry size will result in another amazing vintage from Napa Valley.

Harvest Date: September 21- October 9
Harvest Brix: 26.2

Winemaking:

Hand harvested, picked at night
Gently de-stemmed and whole berries transferred to stainless steel
Cold Soaked for 48 Hours
Inoculated with D254, D80 and D21 yeast and fermented for 18 days on skins
Free run juice drained from tank, settled for 24 hours, then racked to barrel
Aged 18 months in French Oak barrels, 40% new
Coopers—Nadalie, Orion, Vicard, Trueil
Composition—80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Petite Sirah

Tasting Notes:

Dark mulberry and blackberry notes with cassis, black licorice, and cocoa layered with aromas of caramel, dried sage, and fennel.  The wine opens up with sweet and juicy fruit tannins that expand on the palate with the trademark dusty cocoa powder texture that lingers onto the finish.  A classic vintage for Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon that captures the elegance of 2021 with the power and intensity to age gracefully for years to come.  

 Cases Produced

 500 cases