VARIETY:

100% Cabernet Franc

THE VINEYARD:

Located adjacent to Phelps and Cakebread Vineyards’ block, Sugarloaf Vineyard was planted on hillsides with rocky soils in the southern Napa Valley AVA. The elevation ranges from 250 to 1050 feet above sea level. The area faces southwest towards San Pablo Bay ands the climate is moderately warm with afternoon marine winds cooling the warmer air surrounding the hillsides. The rocky soils promote low to moderate vigor creating balanced hillside fruit with velvet-like tannins.

WINEMAKER’S RECORD:

This wine captures all the great reasons to produce Cabernet Franc. The dark ruby-red color sets this wine apart and immediately tells you it is a pure example of the varietal. Fragrant aromas of sweet tobacco and cedar smoke integrate with elements of dried rose petal, blackberry and truffles inform the first impressions. There is wonderful richness and depth to the palate where ripe blackberry and spicy clove flavors are lifted by touches of black licorice and star anise. The resulting wine has the structure and balance to guarantee it holds a prominent place in your cellar for years to come.  

PRODUCTION Essentials

Method | Pellenc Destemmed Into Open Top and Stainless Steel Tanks, 5-Day Cold Soak, 100% Carbonic Maceration With Twice Daily Cap Soaking, Native Yeast Primary and Secondary Fermentations, 100% Free Run Juice

Aging Regimen | 22 Months, 65% New 3-Year Air-Dried French Oak, Bottled Unfiltered

Production | 675 Cases