The winter of 2017 and 2018 marked a return to normal cool temperatures in California. The rains were abundant in February, then diminished by April, when budbreak occurred the first week. During the bloom, the vines flowered uniformly during the second week of June for our Cabernet Sauvignon. Fortunately, there was only one heat wave, lasting a mere couple of days at the end of June, during the end of the bloom. The growing season happened under excellent weather conditions: very dry with mild temperatures between 80º and 90ºF. For the county of Napa Valley, this is a trouble-free vintage characterized by mild weather with a long, unseasonably warm autumn. Veraison occurred during the first and second weeks of August. Harvest dates were from October 12 to 17, with a daily picking schedule. It was a very intense harvest because the dry weather made the de-leafing required in the vineyard especially extensive. On the other hand, the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes benefited from warm days and cool nights. The yields of 2 tons per acre were low except for the new plantation, blocks 10 and 11. We faced some difficult decisions to pick fully ripe without excessive sugar content (which is rare) in each block. The acidity level was low, with almost no malic acid left at the harvest date. This vintage has both high quantity and high quality of tannins. It is a strong and safe vintage for collectors and connoisseurs.

ABV 14.8%