2006 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Blend
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Production
2,300 cases produced
The Vintage
A mild summer and temperate fall in 2006 followed a very wet and cool spring. With extra moisture, the leaf canopy grew beautifully through the summer delivering ample photosynthesis to the vine for grape cluster development. Extra leaf thinning in the Rutherford and St. Helena vineyards aided the maturation process. The fruit reached optimum ripeness between October 24 and November 5, 2008 when the grapes were harvested.
Winemaking
The Reserve Cabernet program was started at Whitehall Lane Winery in 1984. Since that time, fruit primarily from the Rutherford and St. Helena appellations has been designated for the 'Reserve' program. The 2006 vintage is a blend of nine distinct barrel lots from five separate vineyards. The wine was aged 80% French and 20% American oak barrels for 25 months.
Tasting Notes
Elegance and power balance beautifully in this classic offering. The deep, rich color and enticing aromas give way to full-blown fruit flavors that are framed beautifully on the mid-palate by ripe tannins and sweet oak flavors. These flavors of black cherry, black berry and oak linger well beyond the silky smooth finish. Enjoy to 2020.
Closure
This 2006 bottling is the winery's fourth vintage to be sealed with the revolutionary glass closure, Vino-SealŠ. This elegant alternative to cork offers an ideal seal that allows the wine to retain its purity of flavor and aroma. The wines sealed with this 'glass cork' continue to age beautifully.
