2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County • St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

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Tasting Notes

Balanced and vibrant, this medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon shows off expressive aromas and flavors of dark, red fruits and berries with notes of black licorice, cocoa powder, dried sage, and toast. The oak is well-integrated for good structure and a smooth, lingering finish.

Vintage Notes

Harvest in 2016 started in the middle of August during a pattern of warm sunny days cooled by foggy mornings and breezy afternoons for most of the area. The early months of the year were very mild with little rain allowing the vines to progress steadily and uneventfully. Yields throughout the region were slightly below average but moderate weather starting in early summer gave the fruit plenty of time to develop great color and flavor, resulting in beautifully balanced wines.

Vineyard Notes

Fruit for our Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon comes from our estate vineyards in the Sonoma and Russian River Valleys, as well as from growers in Sonoma County’s other top appellations, including Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley. Each carefully selected vineyard contributes distinctive and individual qualities to the finished wine.

Winemaker Notes

All grapes are gently de-stemmed before cold-soaking for two days to extract optimal color and flavor. The fruit is fermented in separate lots, allowing each lot to be individually and distinctly cracked before being aged in French oak barrels, 20% new. The wines are kept 18 months in barrel before final blending.