2016 BURLY Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes
A striking balance of fruit, and a thick viscous mouthfeel, the 2016 Burly Cabernet Sauvignon is truly a remarkable wine that will provide years of enjoyment. Aromas of cassis and blackberries meld seamlessly with notes of chocolate, and anise. The rich, plush mouthfeel elegantly transforms into sweetness by supple tannins and lovely oak integration. A wonderful mineral note shines through the whole experience. Layered, complex, and lingering, a true wine drinking experience. Wonderful now, this wine will benefit from further bottle aging reaching its peak in 5 to 7 years but drinkable for 10 years.
Making the Wine
TThe grapes came in small-berried, deep black-blue and loose on the clusters. Following a five day cold soak, the fermentation took seven days followed by fourteen days extended maceration. After which the wine was pressed and transferred to small French Oak barrels for aging. The wine was bottled in summer 2018 after twenty months of maturation in barrel and further aged in bottles for two additional years.
Wine Facts
Harvest Date: | October 8, 2016 |
Bottled Date: | August 2018 |
Barrels | 80% New French Oak |
Alcohol: | 14.8% |
Brix: | 26.9° |
pH: | 3.81 |
Titratable Acidity: | 6.0 g/L |
Vineyard
Our Cabernet Grapes came from The Simpkins Vineyard in the Coombsville area just east of the city of Napa. The vineyard, although staying warm and dry, is generally a little cooler than many Napa Valley vineyards and therefore allows more hang-time for the grapes. This brings greater concentration and layering to the finished wine. The vineyard soil is rocky loam which provides good drainage and low nutrient concentration. Under these stresses, the vines work hard to produce a limited amount of fruit.
Weather
The near-perfect 2016 growing season started early, saw ideal weather conditions throughout and wrapped up as the valley’s first significant fall rainstorm arrived on October 14. Thanks to a relatively steady and mild July and August and then a series of warm days at the end of the growing season, vineyards were able to progress to perfect ripeness. A fifth consecutive vintage of stellar quality for Napa Valley!
Availability
1.5 L bottles