The Wine
The wine opens with concentrated aromas expressing characteristics of the famed Rutherford Dust. Flavors of red fruit along with blackberry, black currant and elderberry play into the foreground, with dense tannins enveloping the palate. The mid-palate offers lingering undertones of dried herbs, graphite and citrus that lead to a savory finish of bittersweet chocolate and tobacco.
Vintage
The string of near perfect vintages continued for the fifth year in 2016, with an early bud break and flowering followed by sunny days and relatively mild temperatures throughout the growing season. We were able to have almost all our grapes safely in the cellar before the valley’s first significant fall rainstorm arrived on October fourteenth.
Vineyard
These grapes were grown at Austins Vineyard, home to our winery in the heart of Rutherfords viticultural area, one of the worlds preeminent sites for Cabernet Sauvignon. Its loamy soils and sunny, warm days create an elegant wine with red fruit flavors and smooth tannins. We farm our vineyards naturally, and they are certified organic.