Winter Release Montecillo Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2017

Winemaker’s Notes

In 1964, the iconic and magisterial Montecillo Vineyard was planted at 1,700 feet on the steep southwest-facing slope of Moon Mountain, a stone’s throw from the Sonoma–Napa border. Its highly eroded iron-rich red soils yield profound wines of unmistakable pedigree: distinctive, powerful and complex with a level of character that can only come from vines planted on the margins. This vineyard produces a singular expression that is impossible to replicate.

This classic mountain-grown Cabernet emanates old-school complexity—a rare combination of muscularity and finesse. Aromas are intricate and constantly evolving, deep and haunting: wild plum shifts to dark briary berry; hints of iron and roast meat, black walnut and smoky cedar emerge and interweave with flint, mineral, spice and earth.

The wine’s long, driving flavor fills the senses: rising red fruits, earthy chewiness, expansive texture, round pillowy tannins and the perfect amount of freshness.

Profound now, the wine will continue to uncoil and reveal even more detail and length over the next 10–15 years. Decant an hour prior to drinking in its youth.

Andy Smith