Wine Descriptors:
This wine is quintessential Oakville cabernet sauvignon: presenting both power and finesse, with deep, dark cassis and black cherry fruit; sage, nutmeg and vanilla spice; a velvety texture with a plush, juicy finish that lingers luxuriously on the palate.
Vintage:
2014 started with worrisome, drought-like conditions, and many feared a parched, dry spring as in 2013. Refreshingly, spring rains came in February and into March providing water for the soils and filling reservoirs. The wine growing season will most be remembered for the August 24th earthquake that occurred just as harvest was commencing in the Napa Valley. The vines were not affected and harvest finished early, bringing in beautiful, healthy fruit. The grapes were harvested between September 6th and October 14th.
Vineyards:
When Robert Mondavi chose the To Kalon Vineyard as the home for his new winery, in 1966, he remarked “It was a vineyard with a distinguished history and a magical nature. Ideal soils, sunlight, and rain—to my eye, the vineyard was a treasure.” Those sentiments were re-confirmed when the To Kalon Vineyard was named the Vineyard of the Year by the California State Farm Bureau in 2011. The To Kalon Vineyard lies on prime benchland in west Oakville. The low fertility, well-drained soils and optimal sun exposure yield rich, complex flavors and impeccable fruit maturity.
Varietal Composition:
88% Cabernet Sauvignon
5% Cabernet Franc
3% Malbec
3% Petit Verdot
1% Merlot
Total acid: 6.4 g/L
Final pH: 3.64
Residual sugar: 0.55 g/L
Alcohol: 14.5 % by volume