Cabernet Sauvignon, 2017. "Cru" Vineyard 29

Our CRU Cabernet is deeply rooted in the vineyards of St. Helena that surround our estate, with about 60% of the fruit coming from neighboring growers. Each year, we hand-select the balance of the blend from different parts of the valley to layer together a delicious, well-rounded and beautifully balanced wine that expresses the nuance and character of the Napa Valley. Fourteen vineyards play a role in the CRU bottling, including valley floor and mountain Cabernet and Malbec, valley floor Petit Verdot and Merlot, and bench land Cabernet Franc blocks, which all contribute to the juicy approachability and great structure of CRU Cabernet.

The winter of 2016 / 2017 was the wettest in many years, causing the Napa River to reach flood levels and some vineyards to become temporary lakes. By the time of bud break in the early spring, some parts of Napa Valley had reached over 50" of rain. The Spring of 2017 was beautiful and moderate followed by a freak hail storm in mid-June which caused some damage to mostly mountain vineyards. Veraison was about a week late, but an exceptionally hot August quickened the ripening curve. During the last week of August some areas reached as high as 115?F. Another heat spike came during the first week of September, which kicked the Cabernet harvest into gear for most of the early ripening sites. e evening of October 8 was one of the windiest, driest on record resulting in unprecedented wildfires that raged in the hills and into the fringes of the valley floor.

The 2017 CRU Cabernet Sauvignon offers fragrant violet and perfumed aromas along with cocoa powder, chocolate covered blueberries and cr?me de cassis on the nose. Full bodied, mouth-watering acidity, a touch of fresh tobacco leaf, hints of wet slate, and a dark blue and black fruit-driven profile fill out the mid-palate and lead to juicy, supple, fine grain tannins and a long, drawn out finish.

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