2017 Obsidian Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

TASTING NOTES
Your nose is teased with coffee nibs, blueberries and black pepper, but a shy side emerges after time in the glass: blackberries and a gentle floral lift. Flavors of dark chocolate, coffee and fresh blackberry are carried on silky tannins—they speak clearly, but don’t shout. 2017 is a riper, fuller, but quieter vintage of our signature bottling of Cabernet Sauvignon.

HISTORY
Obsidian Ridge Vineyard is planted at 2,640' atop the Mayacamas range north of the Napa Valley. This is one of the newest American Viticultural Areas, named Red Hills Lake County for the distinctive volcanic soils that define this remarkable mountain appellation. The vineyard′s red soils are shot through with obsidian rock—this steep, sloping terroir of obsidian gravel is all that a winemaker could hope for. The unrestricted drainage and meager soil fertility produce wines with great tannic structure.

VINTAGE
Northern California continued to recover from the drought, and the year began with abundant rainfall and mild spring weather. The rejuvenated vines produced a beautiful crop. Summer temperatures were normal and harvest began slightly early and slowly. On October 8th, terrible wildfires erupted in Napa and Sonoma Counties. We were fortunate that we had already completed the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir harvest from Poseidon Vineyard, and Obsidian Ridge Vineyard was well north of the fire and smoke and was totally unaffected. It was a year that the attentive winemaker, one familiar with their vineyards and with a committed and reliable crew, was rewarded.

WINEMAKING
A blend of eight blocks from Obsidian Ridge Vineyard, the lush flavor and sweetness of this wine comes from fruit harvested on the steepest slopes of our vineyard, rising from 2,300 to 2,640 feet above sea level. The spicy aroma and structure is derived from fruit picked later in the season in the lower blocks of the vineyard. Young wines are aged exclusively in Tokaj oak by Kádár, the cooperage we have owned for nearly three decades. Located in Kádárok Volgye (Valley of the Coopers), this region of the Tokaj appellation has a written history of over 1,000 years of coopering.

Alex Beloz, Winemaker

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