 |
 |
Appellation: |
Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District |
Vineyards: |
La Perla, Chevalier, Alba, Miravalle |
Vines: |
Densely Planted Gobelet, 60% |
Varietals: |
Cabernet Sauvignon 80%, Merlot 15%, Petit Verdot 5% |
Aged: |
21 Months in French Oak Barrels |
Production: |
4,010 Cases of 9-Liter Bottles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Winemaker Notes |
| With contributions from all four of our vineyards, the 2001 Estate is a robust, fruit forward expression of our blend of Bordeaux varietals. The wine displays the dominant role of Cabernet in the berry concentration and firm structure with the softening effect of the Merlot’s plush tannins as well as an alluring note of black cherry. The Petit Verdot supports the structure of the Cabernet and adds concentration and depth. The tannins overall are prodigious and shapely with a lush feel that is accessible now, and promises long life with optimum maturation. An altogether pleasing and satisfying fusion of characters from the three varietals, as well as a beautiful example of the intensity, power and grace of wines from Spring Mountain Vineyard. |
|
The 2001 Vintage |
| Bud break was normal occurring mid March with bloom occurring mid May. Early spring temperatures were mild and rainfall was light. Where April was a bit cool, both May and June were fairly warm setting the stage for an excellent growing season. July through September was mild and steady with only occasional heat spikes into the 90’s. Maturation evolved slowly and produced intensely flavored grapes with great color, concentration, and due to long hang time, great balance. |
|
Spring Mountain Estate |
| Grapes from each of the four vineyard properties are considered as we select the lots to be used in our Estate Cabernet
Sauvignon. The multitude of top quality lots with distinctly different attributes allows us to be extremely selective in making the final blend. The result is a true Estate Cabernet Sauvignon that reflects the unique growing conditions of the Spring Mountain growing district. |
|
Spring Mountain Vineyard |
| Originally four individual historic Napa Valley properties, Miravalle, La Perla, Alba, and Chevalier have now been combined to create an 850 acre estate of forest and vineyard on the eastern slopes of Spring Mountain overlooking the small town of Saint Helena. Over 225 acres of the estate are planted to vine, creating 135 separate hillside vineyard blocks each with its own unique soil, exposure, and microclimate. The vineyard is planted in densities of 4,000 vines per acre and trained to the ancient gobelet form, a vertical trellising method that was invented in an earlier millennium by the Romans. |
|
|
|
