QUILT NAPA CAB SAUV ***94

Description

Deep Garnet in color. The nose greets you with lush aromas of eucalyptus, dark cherry, crushed violet and hints of cocoa nibs and butterscotch. The palate is bold and unctuous with dark berries dried apricot and notes of cocoa. Beautifully rounded with an elegantly smooth finish accompanied by velvety tannins. VINEYARDSWe source fruit from these Napa Valley AVAs: Oakville, St Helena, Atlas Peak, Coombsville, Calistoga, and Howell Mountain.
WINEMAKER NOTESFor Quilt Cabernet Sauvignon, the winemaking process started by picking fruit at precisely the right moment. Often this meant waiting until ripeness–determined both by testing sugar levels as well as by assessing other aspects of phenological readiness–had reached an ideal point. Once in the cellar, we kept lots separated by vineyard. While the wine underwent extended maceration, we re-evaluated the progress of each lot before moving the wine to small French oak barrels (70% new oak, 30% seasoned) where it underwent a secondary fermentation. Our final blend came about after numerous blind tastings.
TASTING NOTES
COLOR Deep, dark brick red to blood plum

AROMAS A seamless blend of crème de cassis, hazelnut, cocoa, blackberry preserves, a charry meat toastiness, dark fruits and blackberry pie along with suggestions of dark licorice, stewed rhubarb, strawberry, spice and vanillin.

PALATE Rich and satisfying with chocolate brownie, yogurt, molasses, brown sugar and rhubarb notes presented in perfect balance with higher-toned fruit emphasis.

STRUCTURE The wine’s weight is first felt on the front of the palate but then coats the entire mouth with placating tannin and a light, pleasing grittiness. This weight, ideally counterpoised alongside the acid, leaves the mouth watering. Great persistence on the finish.