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BACK
  • 2019

Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Rockpile

93 Points | Wine Enthusiast
Gold Medal | San Francisco Wine Competition

Cabernet Sauvignon, Rockpile

Tasting Notes

Fruit for this bold red is sourced from high-elevation vineyards in Sonoma County’s smallest AVA, Rockpile. A fresh pepper note opens to an earthy bouquet of sweet carob root, allspice, and plum. A concentrated mid-palate carries a stout, velvety texture ripe with intense flavors of sandalwood, raspberry, and black tea. Dusty tannins hinting of nutmeg and savory baking spice elevate the delicate finish, deepening as the wine breaths. Decanting is recommended.

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

We’ve sourced Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from vineyards located 1,900 feet above Lake Sonoma in the Rockpile appellation, one of California’s newest and most admired appellations. With only about 160 planted acres, Rockpile is also one of the smallest AVAs in the United States. Climbing up the northern border of Dry Creek Valley, Rockpile’s high elevation, extreme terrain and unique climate make it an exceptional grape-growing region producing remarkable, concentrated fruit.

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 crafted before being aged in French oak barrels, 66% new. The wine is kept in barrel for 20 months before final blending.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Rockpile
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WINEMAKER

Chris Louton

COLLECTION

Artisan Collection

GRAPE VARIETIES
94% Cabernet Sauvignon
6% Petit Verdot
ALCOHOL
14.8 %
CASES PRODUCED
760
AGING
20 Months
Bottling Date
August 2021
Barrel
66% New French Oak

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Accolades

93 Points & Gold Medal | North Coast Wine Competition
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Accolades

90+ Points | Jeb Dunnuck | June 2019
90 Points | Wine Advocate Tasting | Apr 2019
90 Points | Decanter Magazine | Sep 2020
Double Gold Medal | San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition | Jan 2020
Gold Medal | Press Democrat North Coast Challenge | Apr 2019

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Accolades

94 Points | Harvest Challenge | Nov 2018
91 Points | Wine Advocate | Dec 2019
Double Gold Medal | Harvest Challenge | Nov 2018
Gold Medal | San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition | Jan 2019
Best of Class | Harvest Challenge | Nov 2018

Food Pairing

plated steak

Grilled Hanger Steak and Twice Baked Potatoes

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Accolades

93 Points & Gold Medal | Harvest Challenge
90 Points | Press Democrat North Coast Challenge | July 2020
Gold Medal | Press Democrat North Coast Challenge | July 2020

Food Pairing

stew and rice

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Accolades

96 Points, Double Gold | North Coast Wine Challenge
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Accolades

90 Points | Wine Advocate | Aug 2018

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Accolades

93 Points | North Coast Wine Competition | April 2021

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Accolades

Gold Medal | San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
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