2013 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ~ Rutherford 3-Pack

Expressive of the vintage and the vineyard, this wine is both powerful and elegant, with sweet tannins and hints of mocha. 

Very dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of bright cherry cola.  In the mouth, cherry cola flavors are bright and juicy...excellent acidity, with faint, supple tannins... 
~ Score: around 9 - Alder Yarrow, Vinography.com

VINTAGE: The 2013 vintage in Napa Valley was one of the earliest in recent history with above average yields.  A warm dry spring brought early bud break.  With the exception of one heat spike, temperatures were optimal, resulting in notably healthy vines through veraison and ripening. Following mid-September rains, sunny, breezy weather dried out the vines.  Cooler, sunny weather throughout October extended the hang time, allowing sugar levels to remain steady while flavors continued to mature.

VINIFICATION: Arriving in small picking lugs from the vineyards, the clusters were hand sorted, de-stemmed and hand sorted again, berry by berry. A two day cold soak was followed by primary fermentation in small, open-top stainless steel tanks.  The fruit was gently pressed after an extended maceration and the wine was moved to barrel for secondary fermentation. The wine was aged for 19 months in rare 100% New French Artisan Oak barrels with minimal racking.  Multiple blending trials determined the final blend, which was bottled unfined and unfiltered.