2023 The Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L Magnum

Each year we produce a small production of Cabernet Sauvignon that we feel captures the spirit of our estate vineyard at the base of Atlas Peak.  These eroded volcanic soils yield wines that are very dark in color, intensely aromatic, varietally expressive, and loaded with soft tannins.  Every vintage, a certain part of the vineyard speaks to us, its wine standing out for its purity, richness, and balance—a stand-alone expression of our site.

Coming once again from “Block 3” in the heart of the estate vineyard, the 2023 wine is incredibly dark and structured.  This being a long, cool vintage, the grapes developed detailed, full-spectrum aromatics, as well as ample tannin and natural acidity.  Dark color and impressive opacity are marks of a cooler vintage as well, and the Estate 2023 certainly shows it.  Sure, there are black fruits at the core of the wine’s profile, but there is so much going on in terms of complexity.  Notes of slate, graphite, baking spices, creeping thyme and pomegranate all wrap around the center of fresh blackberry and bing cherry.  Aging in barrel for 20 months helps to polish the wine and further concentrate the complex flavors.

The tannic structure is firm but accessible, promising in terms of the wine’s ability to age for many years in the bottle.  Today, in its youth, the wine benefits from a decanting before serving.  With time in the bottle, it will continue to open and soften.  It will certainly continue to improve for 20 or more years in bottle.