Wine Profile

2001 CABERNET SAUVIGNON,
NAPA VALLEY

The Vintage:

“Spring came early this year, setting the stage for one of the quickest flowering and fruit set periods on record. A sudden, unexpected deep frost in April caught growers by surprise followed by extreme heat spikes in May, June and July. The weather eventually evened out as the summer progressed and by August temperatures were ideal. The warm days and cool nights gave the red varietals some hang-time, just what they needed to achieve the perfect balance of sugar, flavor and acid.”—Gary Galleron, Winemaker

The Vineyard:

The Taplin Vineyard, part of the historic Lewelling estate, was established in 1864 near the western foothills in St. Helena, by pioneer winegrower and horticulturist John Lewelling. During the 1870s and 1880s, the vineyards in this area earned a reputation for producing some of the finest wines in the United States.

The Wine:

This Cabernet is packed with 100% valley floor fruit. Full-bodied and replete with vibrant aromas of rich, ripe fruit spiced with black pepper and smoky oak. Smooth, polished tannins beautifully frame complex layers of dark, rich valley floor fruit. Luscious waves of blackberry, cherry, berry, cassis, cedar wood and vanilla oak wash over the palate, and ultimately peak in a long, seductive finish. This outstanding Cabernet is exceptionally engaging now, but will continue to gain depth and complexity over time.

What The Critics Say...

92 POINTS, 2000 Vintage, Wine Enthusiast Magazine

GOLD MEDAL, 2000 Vintage, Los Angeles County Fair Wine Competition

“Smells and tastes classy, with that powerful cassis and new oak combo that’s hard to resist. Has ripe flavors of currants, minty chocolate and vanilla, just delicious…” Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast