2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Moon Moutain District • St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

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Tasting Notes

This robust wine brandishes rich aromas of espresso, chocolate and freshly baked graham cracker. The warm, west-facing vineyards of the Moon Mountain District incorporate charismatic flavors of blueberry-custard and sasparilla in the wine’s cordial-like mid-palate, whilst soft, age-worthy tannins expose delicate vanilla notes and a hint of toasted cedar in the bold underlying finish.

Vintage Notes

We began our 2019 harvest before dawn on August 30. After a growing season that started in winter with record rainfall, the year ended with warm, even temperatures throughout summer. With few spikes in heat over the period, our vineyards had optimal conditions to develop full-flavored fruit with remarkable color and balanced acidity. Spring rains ended in time for good fruit set. The temperate summer allowed for long hang times and consistent, even ripening. We picked the majority of our fruit in September and the weather continued to cooperate. Warm breezy days, but fortunately no rain took place in October and the last of the grapes were harvested before the end of the month.

Vineyard Notes

The fruit for this robust Cabernet Sauvignon comes from one of Sonoma’s newest American Viticultural Areas (AVA), Moon Mountain District of Sonoma County. This striking region is lauded for its high elevation vineyards and rugged, volcanic soil. Rising from 400 to 2200 feet on the western side of the Mayacamas, the Moon Mountain District has thin, fast-draining soil and hot, dry summer days, ideal conditions to grow deeply colored grapes with intense, concentrated flavors.

Winemaker Notes

The grapes underwent a two-day cold soak to extract optimal color and flavor and each individual component was fermented separately to optimize structure and tannin integration. Secondary malolactic fermentation occurred in French oak barrels, 50% new, followed by 15 months of aging before final blending and bottling.