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NVWR® 17 – Bordeaux Blends
July 4, 2006 by David
Filed under Napa Valley Wine Radio
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Why is it so common to blend Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and other red Bordeaux varieties together? Sit back, relax, and listen while Nancy Hawks Miller, our Director of Education, tells you a little about each of the “big five” Bordeaux varieties and the role they play in the total blend.
Text: How we make our Estate Meritage
2004 ÆROS® Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
June 28, 2006 by David
Filed under AEROS, Winemaker Notes
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
While most of the fruit is from prestigious Howell Mountain, this vintage also marks the debut of a small amount of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc from our Yountville Estate vineyard, which we re- planted a few years ago. Our steep Howell Mountain site produces extremely small grapes of tremendous flavor concentration and “…the young Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc vines bring some brightness and elegance to all of that intensity,” remarks Geoff Gorsuch, our Winemaker.
To maximize the richness of flavor, Geoff allowed the skins and seeds some time to “cold soak” before guiding the wine through a warm, but not hot, fermentation. He followed up with an early pressing for polished tannins and a graceful finish. Geoff aged the ÆROS® (pronounced “Eros” for the winged god “Cupid”) in his favorite Bordeaux-made San Martin and Quintessence barrels to ensure its signature complexity and finesse.
Listen to our audio winemaker note: mp3
Read more about this wine here.
2002 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
May 23, 2006 by David
Filed under Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Winemaker Notes
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Napa Valley Wine Radio presents: Napa Cabernet winemaker notes & food suggestions.This 2002 Cabernet is generous with abundant cassis, black cherry, sumptuous extract of black currant, plum, cocoa, and soft, supple, velvety tannins. The fruit-forward flavors so characteristic of mid-valley Cabernet are wrapped around deep layers of blackberry, smoke, and spice that linger on the palate.
Listen to our audio winemaker note: mp3
Read more about this wine here.
2001 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
October 13, 2005 by David
Filed under Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Winemaker Notes
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
The growing season of vintage 2001 will long be remembered as a fantastic harvest! However, “Mother Nature played her tricks and gave me a lot to manage in the vineyard… but she came through in the end,” remarked Geoff Gorsuch, our winemaker.
Persistent spring frost followed by unseasonable heat thinned the crop, and put it far ahead of schedule. Finally, in July and August, mild temperatures gave the vines a breather, and allowed for the all-important “hang-time” the grapes needed to develop the fullness of flavor Geoff had been waiting for. After much hand care and hard work, we found ourselves blessed with an outstanding harvest… Cabernet Sauvignon in particular.
As always, our Napa Valley Cabernet is fruit forward and very accessible. The wine is elegant and expansive with layers of blackberry, plum, wild berry, cherry cordial, nutmeg and cloves. A remarkably evolved, fragrant nose expresses great depth of flavors and a hint of chocolate and tobacco. Firm, yet silky tannins and a cedar finish make this Cabernet enjoyable now or in the years to come.
Food Suggestions
A substantial wine calls for substantial food, and this limited release Cabernet pairs beautifully with hearty beef dishes, grilled sausages and wild game. For an extraordinary treat, pair the Cabernet with prime rib or Geoff’s favorite – cassoulet. Our staff loves it with chocolate and fresh berries—give it a try!
2002 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
June 24, 2005 by David
Filed under Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Winemaker Notes
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
This classic Cabernet is from Howell Mountain, one of Napa Valley’s most prestigious mountaintop appellations. This vintage presents a complex nose of black cherries, cherry cordial, oak spice, elegant floral scents and a hint of sweet tobacco. This is a tremendously concentrated wine with luscious chocolate, black currant, blackberry, plum and strawberry flavors… rounding off with wonderful chewy tannins.
Food Suggestions
Our winemaker, Geoff Gorsuch, suggests pairing this marvelously bold wine with spicy Italian dishes with red sauce, flank steak, rib eye, New York, and T-bone steak, pork or beef ribs, a variety of grilled, sausages, beef stew, or roast beef. For dessert, try it with chocolate-dipped strawberries or other fruits with chocolate fondue.
