Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 2022

VINTAGE NOTES
Significant rain in December and relatively dry, mild conditions through March created an early bud break. Alternating periods of warm and cool weather after March led to steady summer conditions that prevailed until the first week of September when temperatures rose significantly. Cooler weather after the heat spell allowed many of our hillside and south valley vineyards to recover from the heat and were harvested in great condition. Overall quality is excellent with wines showing a broad spectrum of aromas and flavors.

VINEYARD SOURCES
Home to Alpha Omega winery, Rutherford is the historical centerpiece of the Napa Valley. Some of the Napa Valley’s most famous wines have been made here over the last 100 years. A total of just six square miles right in the middle of the valley, Rutherford is known for its warm, sunny days, breezy afternoons, cool evenings and diverse soils that include the famed Rutherford Bench. Grapes for this wine were partially sourced from the Rutherford Bench, in addition to hillside vineyards on the western and eastern sides of the appellation.

WINEMAKING
Our winemakers blended 93% Cabernet Sauvignon with 5% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc. These grapes were fermented in 45% French oak barriques, 80% new and 20% two and three-year-old barriques and 55% in stainless steel tanks. The wine was then aged for 18 months in French oak, 30% new and 70% two and three-year-old barriques.

NOSE: Classic Rutherford aromas of cassis and black cherry are complemented by notes of dusty earth, graphite, violets and bittersweet chocolate.
PALATE: Black cherry and plum are mixed with herbs de Provence, sweet, dried tobacco, cardamon and cherry cola.