2001 Cabernet Sauvignon

Nineteen barrels produced  

Like all fine vintages for Cabernet, the 2001 began early. Earliness is essential for late varietals such as Cabernet to reach full ripeness.  The crop level was on the low side.  Almost invariably low crop levels give high wine quality. There were two primary vineyard sources for this vintage. The first was Brooks Vineyard which is located on Dry Creek Road just north of the City of Napa. The second was Atlas Peak Vineyard which is located in a valley near the ridge of the Vaca Mountains. These two vineyards bring balancing characters to the wine. They create a flavor symbiosis if you will. The Atlas Peak would have been too astringent solo, and the Brooks too overtly fruity, but together they have made a very harmonious wine. The wine itself is, as always, hard to describe in words. Often the description that is the vaguest is also the most truthful. The simple two word phrase, “just right”, speaks volumes. Really, one must encounter a wine in the flesh to comprehend it. All words fail. That being said, this wine is of a sybaritic stripe. It does not resist your attentions with hard acid and rough astringency. The textures are soft and seamless. Fruit aromas lead with French vanilla lurking just below. It has that rare combination of power and finesse. These qualities make it a pleasure to drink now, but will not take away from its age worthiness. Balance is better for all stages of a wines development. This wine should be a cinch to pair with food. Almost anything but fish will prove rewarding.