Graeme MacDonald, 4th generation grower, took to the floor to discuss the history of the region with a focus on the long growing vineyard area, To Kalon. The name is of Greek origin and translates to "highest beauty". Hamilton Crabb, known as the "wine king of the Pacific Slope" planted 400 different grape varieties in the Napa area in the mid 1800's to try to determine which were best suited to the climate and soil. He created the first successful American wine brand using the To Kalon Vineyard name. The history lesson continued through the area's rise of cult wines beginning in the 1960's on up to the present.
Matt Ashby, Robert Mondavi's vineyard manager, discussed Oakville viticulture starting with the more uniform area 4 portion of Oakville where controlling vigor by draining water is the first concern. Other vineyard managers and winemakers stood up to continue our education throughout the tasting.
The Wine - each one, fantastic and highly recommended!
- 2012 Franciscan Estate Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon- Structured, balanced by mid-palate, dark berry/cherry fruit, minty.
- 2012 Robert Mondavi To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - 100% To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon from the Monastery Vineyard which is dry farmed and has a higher gravel content with 2,700 vines planted per acre on St George rootstock. 100% aged in new French oak. Powerful, balanced, fruity, dark berries with a graphite/mineral finish.
- 2012 Nickel & Nickel Branding Iron Cabernet Sauvignon - sourced from a single vineyard area with mixed alluvial fans, 45-60% aged in new French oak. Deep, balanced, beautiful, very smooth; mixed berries.
- 2012 Far Niente Estate Cabernet Sauvignon- pure, perfumed cassis, black berry fruit.
- 2012 Futo Oakville Estate Red Wine - From a volcanic soil site with sub-marine sediments contains 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot; more acid-driven with a mix of black and red fruit
- 2012 Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - sourced from 30 acre vineyard area with same soil which was replanted in 2005; black fruit, softer tannins
- 2012 Plumpjack Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - Aaron Miller, head wine maker, introduced this wine. It was sourced from the estate vineyards which contain 3 different soil types all within 400 yards creating different vineyard management needs. More elegant aroma, more red fruit with sage and minerality, a concentrated dark berry finish.
- 2012 Dalla Valle Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - Winemaker Andy Erickson discussed how stressed the vines become in the rocky, red volcanic soil and how that iron gives the wine the unique mineral character. He discussed the importance of controlling the temperature and the level of extraction. Two-thirds of this wine aged in new French oak. He prefers as little racking as possible with no fining or filtering. Big, intense, tannic, black fruits, cedar, mineral finish.
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