2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford, Napa Valley
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2018 CABERNET SAUVIGNON RUTHERFORD, NAPA VALLEY A BRIEF HIS TORY For decades, it has been our goal to produce a Rutherford AVA, estate- grown Cabernet Sauvignon. Inspired by the early Cabernets of Inglenook and Beaulieu Vineyard, we’ve spent the past 20 years finding, farming and obtaining highly sought after land in Rutherford—with particular attention to the Rutherford Bench—to perfect our craft. It all began with the acquisition of the Red Barn Vineyard in 1994. This prime location provided us with 40 acres of soil perfectly suited to grow Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and a century-old facility in which we would become Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon producers for the first time. Then Frank Leeds—longtime Frog’s Leap Vineyardist—agreed to a partnership with his family’s Chavez Leeds Vineyard. Situated on the iconic Rutherford Bench, this vineyard gave us our first real taste of how complex and connected dry-farmed, organically-grown Cabernet Sauvignon from this storied part of the appellation could be. In 2007, we purchased the historic Rossi Vineyard located in the very heart of the Rutherford Bench. This 50 acre vineyard was purchased by the Rossi family in 1906 and is located only a stone’s throw away from the two vineyards that originally inspired us. ABOUT THE WINE There is very little doubt that 2018 is going to go down as one of the best and most classic Cabernet vintages in the Napa Valley in recent memory. The Frog’s Leap Estate Grown will show you why. Superb balance, pure Rutherford aromas and a natural density achieved only in the best year. Perfect harvest weather eased the vineyards into harvest. We did not start picking until very later September and it took nearly the whole month of October to collect the last grapes. The result is a depth of flavor and complexity of aroma that projects long aging potential while delivering immediate drinking pleasure. JW THE BLEND STATISTICS WINEMAKERS 88% Cabernet sauvignon organically-grown John Williams 6% Merlot 24.2° brix at harvest Paula Moschetti 6% Cabernet franc 13.9% alcohol Rory Williams 6.0 gL total acidity RELEASE DATE 3.65 pH VINEYARDIST November 2020 aged 20 months in French oak Frank Leeds BALANCE, RESTRAINT AND DEEP RESPECT FOR THE NATURAL EXPRESSION OF THE VINE.