1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
Vintage
1999
Price
$19
Release Date
August 2001
Appellation
Sonoma County
Availability
Select Markets Nationally
Vineyards
- Alexander Valley - Blue Rock, Pusich, Parker, Ash
- Dry Creek - Polesky
- Sonoma Mountain - Benziger Estate Vineyard
- Sonoma Valley - Racho Salina, Horn, LaVigna and Su
- Mendocino - McNab Ranch
- Central Coast - Shell Creek and Bien Nacido
Vintage
For the most part 1999 was a cool and dry season, with much less warm weather than normal. Extra effort was taken in the vineyard to ensure that the fruit fully ripened including; judicious irrigation to control growth and maintain uniformity and cluster thinning to promote ripening. Late September gave us the heat spell we needed to begin harvest, which went very quickly and was effectively over by October 23rd. Fortunately our efforts in the vineyard paid off and we were rewarded by fully matured fruit flavors in our 99 reds.
Vinification
Lots of grapes from 16 ranches were individually culled. Some were cold soaked for three days at 55° Fahrenheit prior to fermentation for ten to twenty days at 80° - 90° in open and closed top fermenters. Fermentation times for this vintage were lengthened to increase tannins and to extract maximum depth of flavor. The wines were aged, 85% in American and 15% in French oak barrels, for 15 months. Original blends of this wine occurred in the summer of 2000 with final blending and bottling taking place May 2001. Alcohol 13.5%, total acidity .60, pH 3.62, residual sugar .03.
Tasting Notes
This is a classically structured, full-bodied Cabernet with a range of flavors, good tannin foundation and an acid balance which underscores the varietal character. Color is deep red-purple; aromas are of blackberry, plum, smoked oak and worn leather; flavors are of ripe berries, deeply toasted oak and spice and a long finish.