2017 Red Cap Cabernet Sauvignon
2017 was a wild year for Napa growers. An exceptionally wet winter followed by the some of the warmest temperatures on record really challenged the grapes. In addition, late-season wildfires disrupted harvest and cost many their crop. Favorable winds spared Howell Mountain from the fires and smoke and we eventually got all the fruit in.
I’m always amazed at the quality of fruit our land produces despite the challenges of nature. The 2017 bottling is another beautiful wine. More on the savory side with fantastic complexity, it offers leather, tobacco, and earth wrapped around a core of blackberry, cassis and bay laurel. Mouth feel is classic Red Cap, extremely clean and balanced with silky mature tannins and great acidity.
Description
2017 was a wild year for Napa growers. An exceptionally wet winter followed by the some of the warmest temperatures on record really challenged the grapes. In addition, late-season wildfires disrupted harvest and cost many their crop. Favorable winds spared Howell Mountain from the fires and smoke and we eventually got all the fruit in.
I’m always amazed at the quality of fruit our land produces despite the challenges of nature. The 2017 bottling is another beautiful wine. More on the savory side with fantastic complexity, it offers leather, tobacco, and bay laurel wrapped around a core of blackberry, cassis and plum. Mouth feel is classic Red Cap, extremely clean and balanced with silky mature tannins and great acidity.
Appellation: Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Barrel Regime: 31 months, French oak, 65% new.
Alcohol: 15.2%
Winemaker: Rudy Zuidema
Production: 328 cases
