TA: 5.8 g/l
pH: 3.9
Brix at harvest: 24.5
Harvest date: 10/14/2021
Aging treatment: 100% American oak medium grain (neutral)
Winemaker’s Notes:
“Tempranillo is a workhorse of varietals, typically being blended into Riojas.
As a stand alone varietal it is more demure than our California standard bearers, Cab and Merlot. It’s a wine that is not the loudest at the party, but still waters run deep. Because it can be masked by oak influence, the new oak was sparingly used, accounting for less than 10% of the blend.
It is a Spanish varietal that performs exceptionally well in our Livermore Valley.
My first choice to pair with this wine is hard cheese and crudites!”
Dane Stark, winemaker
Tasting Notes:
The color of this wine is a medium red ruby color, not overly dense.
It opens with earthy fruit, a touch of plum and strawberry, tobacco and medium intensity with pleasing berry and pepper notes.
The structure lends itself to aging and the lean fruit of the mid palate is pleasing in a delicate way. The excellent structure provides for a wonderful food wine and this wine will pair beautifully with richer dishes. The finish mingles spice, leather, herbs and earth.
Impeccable balance and medium tannin structure finish in a lengthy wash of cacao, hints of coffee and earth.
2021
Cabernet Sauvignon
Livermore Valley
$38
TA: 6.5g/l
pH: 3.5
Brix at harvest: 24.2
Harvest date: 9/4/2021-10/7/2021
Aging treatment: 100% American oak medium grain, 40% New oak.
Bottled: 8/2023
Winemaker’s Notes:
“The grapes for this wine come from three different vineyards in the Livermore Valley. They have been selected for producing exceptional wines for the region.
The Livermore Valley will produce stunning Cabs, and this vintage is no exception. The East end of the valley provides heat, deep soils, and a length to the day during the growing season that provides for weighty Cabernet Sauvignon. The west end has more pocketed terrain, more fertile ground and more even ripening.
With the grace of this wine ageability is assured.”
Dane Stark, winemaker
Tasting Notes:
The color of this wine is ruby red in the center with clarity and vibrant edges.
It opens with a hint of smoke, medium fruit and floral, classic cassis and earth. It has a back drop of oak, not so much that over rides the palate, but enough to add structure to the mid palate and a fine coating of oak tannins.
The fruit is backed by rich cassis with a vanilla undertone and restrained oak presentation. Medium tannins provide for a wonderful food wine and tremendous age-ability. The smooth finish mingles toasted oak, coffee and ripe fruit for a rich experience of classic Cabernet Sauvignon.
2020
Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintner’s Select
$48
TA: 5.5g/l
pH: 3.5
Brix at harvest: 25.6
Harvest date: 11/1-11/23/2020
Aging treatment: Barrel aged 24 months
New Oak: 50% New American Blended Oak
Winemaker’s Notes:
“The grapes for this wine come from several different vineyards in the Livermore Valley. They have been selected for producing exceptional wines for the region.
The Livermore Valley will produce stunning Cabs, and this vintage is no exception. The East end of the valley provides heat, deep soils, and a length to the day during the growing season that provides for weighty Cabernet Sauvignon. The west end has more pocketed terrain, more fertile ground and more even ripening.
I have spent 30 years in search of the vineyards to craft into world class Cabernet Sauvignon. Every vineyard in my cellar competes for the right to be in the VS series Cab.”
Dane Stark, winemaker
Tasting Notes:
This wine has a solid red hue, clear on the edges, its color is vibrant.
Oak, cedar and heavy berries dominate the aroma with an enticing undercurrent of floral notes and classic Cabernet Cassis.
The palate is balanced and youthful with oak tannins on the sides and dusty currant and roses on the mid palate.
Oak plays a major roll in this wine which saw half of the barrels come from the 2020 vintage. Its robust mouthfeel and balanced finish is dry and refined, extended.
It will age beautifully.