2016 Foretell Cabernet Sauvignon

Vineyard

Properties:  Wurtele Vineyard and Bale's Creek Estate
Appellation:  Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley
Clonal Selections:   clone 7, 4 and 337 cabernet sauvignon, clone 214 cabernet franc
Sites: North facing slopes at 1000 feet and 1900 feet elevation in the Mayacamas mountain range in west

Napa Valley

Yields: 2.5 tons/acre
100 cases produced
90% CS, 10% CF

Growing Season

The 2016 growing season in the Napa Valley was a beautiful one marked by pleasant weather with no real issues from heat spikes or rain. A dry winter followed by a dry and early spring meant an early bud break. Weather was warm throughout late spring and summer which allowed for great development in the grapes. Harvest began in August, and the overall quality and depth of flavor of the fruit was outstanding for the vintage.  

Winemaking

Hand-harvested, picked at night
De-stemmed whole berry to tank
48 hour cold soak at 55° F
Inoculated with D80 and D254 yeast and fermented for 10 days with 11 days extended maceration
Free run drained by gravity for 12 hours and press fraction blended away
Aged 22 months in French oak barrels; 80% new
Coopers: Nadalie Colbert 36 month aged Medium Plus tight grain thin stave
Un-fined and lightly filtered; bottled August 2018