GOTT Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Varietal

99% Cabernet Sauvignon
1% Malbec

Appellation

Napa Valley

Barrel

57% New French oak

43% 1-4 year-old French oak

We selected fruit from two vineyards within the Napa Valley appellation to craft an elegant and balanced wine. Fruit from the Sugarloaf Mountain West Vineyard in southeast Napa grows on a hillside where cool, foggy mornings and evenings extend the hang time, allowing for the development of well-defined fruit flavors, balanced tannins, and acidity. Unique, loamy soil types, combined with warm days and cool evenings at Star Vineyard in the coveted Rutherford sub-appellation, result in concentrated fruit flavors. This vineyard imparts the renowned “Rutherford dust” character, a term that signifies the fine, textured tannins and delicate earthy notes, with hints of cocoa, which are characteristic of wines from this region. A small amount of Malbec is blended to add power, structure and well-balanced acidity.

The growing season experienced a dry winter, followed by mild spring and summer temperatures and a late summer heatwave, leading to an earlier-than-usual harvest. These conditions produced smaller, more concentrated fruit clusters, resulting in exceptional flavor and acidity, creating a well-balanced wine.

After harvest, the grapes are gently destemmed and transferred to small five-ton fermenters. A five-day cold soak enhances the extraction of vibrant color and rich flavors while ensuring balanced tannins. As fermentation progresses, the wine develops the distinctive qualities of a classic Napa Cabernet. Once the optimal level of extraction is achieved, the wine is carefully pressed and aged in 57% new French oak, with the balance in 1- to 4-year-old French oak barrels. This aging process imparts additional complexity, depth, and a refined structure to the final blend.