Benchland Select Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
Benchland Select is a special blend of five clones of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from two superior vineyards in the gently sloping western benchlands of Rutherford and Oakville. These vineyards benefit from cool afternoon shade provided by the Mayacamas Mountains, allowing the grapes to mature at a slow, even pace, and gravelly loam soils affording excellent drainage. Each lot is gently destemmed and fermented separately in small stainless steel tanks designed to maximize color, flavor and tannin extraction. Yeast strains, fermentation temperatures, maceration techniques and barrel aging regimens were specifically tailored to the character of each lot to capture the finest attributes of each vineyard block in the final blend. The blend spent 22 months aging in French oak barrels, 63% new, prior to bottling.
A big, ripe nose of fresh boysenberry, blackberry and dark cherry fruit, complemented by seductive roasted earth and dark chocolate scents, introduces lush, deeply concentrated flavors of boysenberry, blackberry, dark cherry and cassis framed by firm but supple tannins. The wine’s dramatically long, savory finish showcases rich, dark fruit with notes of chocolate, spice and toasted oak. Thoroughly delicious now, this complex, opulent, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon will handsomely reward another 7-10 years’ aging.
- From three prime benchland vineyards in Rutherford and Oakville
- Each lot fermented and matured separately for utmost fruit and terroir expression
- Matured 22 months in French oak barrels, 63% new
About the Grape
