Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Hook & Ladder CHALK HILL ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016

THE VINEYARDS: Chalk Hill is an appellation with, generally, warmer days than in the rest of the Russian River Valley, with a variety of volcanic and alluvial soils across the western foothills of the Mayacamas range, rising 200 to 300 feet in elevation. Here, at our Los Amigos Ranch, just South of Healdsburg, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot develop deep, bold flavors.

THE GROWING SEASON: Despite going into the 5th year of drought, 2016 was another fantastic growing year in the Russian River Valley. Yields were larger than that of 2015 while a slightly cooler August allowed the clusters to mature more slowly and evenly than the prior vintage, providing great flavor and color development.

THE WINEMAKING: Our single vineyard Cabernet is aged for 18 months in a combination of European and American oak. The wine is 100% Cabernet. We chose not to blend any other varietals to this particular vintage as the fruit was perfect, and the wine created displays all the attributes that we search for in our Cabernet Sauvignon.

THE WINE: This Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful dark ruby, crimson color. It exhibits lovely aromas of black cherry, coffee and molasses. The surge of juicy ripe cherry flavors layered with a touch of tobacco, leads to a pleasant lingering flavor of powdered cocoa and clove . The rich flavor and deep character of this balanced wine displays soft tannins which pair well with a nice prime rib. This Cabernet is very approachable now but can be cellared for many years.

HARVESTED: September 19- October 1, 2016
ALCOHOL: 14.5%
TA: .65
pH: 3.4
CASES PRODUCED: 3,416
AGING: 18 months in European and American Oak, 13% New Oak
ESTATE BOTTLED: July 23, 2018
WINEMAKER: Jason De Loach