ERA Napa Valley 2008

About This Wine

Color: deep, black cherry with touches of ruby and purple on the rim

On the nose: explosion of black currant and blackberry balanced with spices of cedar, cigar, nutmeg, black pepper, and thyme with hints of rose petal, lavender, and violet

On the palate: dense entrance of fresh picked blackberry balanced with fresh acidity and velvety tannins, spices, oak, licorice, plum, chocolate, and raspberry, evolving on black currant jam

Wine Profile

Blend: 
52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot

Winemaker Notes:

"In 2008, early budbreak and a mild summer resulted in an early start to harvest. A heat spike in September followed by heavy rain resulted in an earlier harvest for some wineries. AO decided to let the fruit hang. It was a risk. However, three weeks of great weather followed which yielded amazing flavors and balance in the wine. 2008 is a great vintage. The small berry size allowed for highly concentrated and powerful wines."

-Jean Hoefliger