Sleeping Lady Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

VINTAGE NOTES
Late winter rains followed by ideal spring growing conditions set the stage for the 2021 vintage. Mild temperatures punctuated this drought year with only a few heat spikes during the summer months that led to early ripening and allowed us to harvest some early blocks with incredible old-world charm and intriguing complexity. Grapes that were harvested later benefited from the longer hang time and ripened perfectly, displaying great depth with distinct regional character. The ideal weather of 2021, coupled with lower yields, produced wines that offer intense aromatics and flavors with excellent aging potential.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD
Located in the southwestern corner of the Yountville AVA in the shadow of the Mayacamas Mountains, Sleeping Lady Vineyard is named after the silhouette that a lower ridge line makes against the taller Mayacamas ridgeline. The soils of Sleeping Lady are dominated by alluvial fans, loamy and rocky, a product of the vineyard’s proximity to the Mayacamas. Originally planted in the 1870s, Sleeping Lady Vineyard was purchased in 2013 by Larry Bettinelli. The fifth generation of Napa Valley farmers, Bettinelli has been farming Napa Valley vineyards for 50 years and is known for his viticultural innovations.

WINEMAKING
This wine is a blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc and was 100% barrel fermented in French oak, 35% new and 65% one-year-old barriques, and then aged for 18 months in French oak, 40% new and 60% one-year-old barriques.

Sight: Opaque purplish ruby

Nose: Inviting ripe black and red cherry, blackberry and cassis fruits mix with notes of Mediterranean olive, eucalyptus, dried herbs and dark earth.

Palate: Full bodied with exceptional balance, the palate coating layers of rich blackberry, cassis and black cherry fruits accompany notes of lavender and espresso.