2008 Heritage Release Cabernet Sauvignon

The Vineyards

Each vintage, Heritage Release Cabernet Sauvignon (formerly called Anniversary) is selected from the finest grapes on the La Jota vineyard estate on Howell Mountain. In 2008, our Winemaker, Chris Carpenter, chose Meadow Blocks 3 and 4. Block 4 again makes an appearance in the 2008 Heritage blend as it continues to show the characteristics and consistent quality that define the La Jota vineyards. Supplementing those characters and adding another layer of complexity and quality, Chris also included Block 3. Both of these Meadow blocks ripened and were picked within a day of each other and developed in tandem throughout the aging process.

Winemaking

The fruit from La Jota is hand-harvested into small, 30-pound boxes to prevent crushing and brought to the winery for hand sorting. After de-stemming and light crushing, the must is cold soaked for gentle color, flavor and tannin extraction. To bridle the "mountain tannins", small amounts of oxygen are introduced to the wine daily with two "splashing pump-overs" during the primary fermentation in stainless steel tanks. In-barrel malolactic fermentation rounds the acidity and softly integrates the vanillin character of the new French oak barrels. Gentle racking occurs to further enhance the wine's elegance.

Current Tasting Notes

"On the palate, the 2008 Heritage Release Cabernet Sauvignon has rich tannins, espresso bean, and dark fruit with Howell Mountain herbal characteristics, and great minerality."