Pied à Terre Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2016

‘Pied à Terre’ (“foot to earth”) embraces the philosophy that “the farmer’s footprint is the best fertilizer” ie. that attention to detail and meticulous care in the vineyard provide the most important foundation for making great wines. From the producer: "The 2016 vintage got off to an early start, with budbreak occurring in some areas at the beginning of February. Flowering began about a month later, though rains hindered the development of clusters, making for smaller berries and clusters. Moderate weather prevailed throughout summer. The lack of heat waves kept sugar levels and phenolic maturity increasing at an optimal rate; ripening progressed slowly and predictably. Late August was unusually cool and cloudy which allowed for a few additional weeks of hang time without excessive sugar accumulation. Phenolic maturity was excellent and the yields returned to “normal” for the first time in several years. Berries were firm and had perfectly healthy skins, with concentrated flavors and tannins, and great acidity. The wine was aged exclusively in French wood, 25 percent of the barrels were new. 25% is a high number for us but we wanted to complement the elevated tannins in the grapes." Classic, concentrated flavors of blackberry, plum, and currant mingle with notes of licorice, graphite, and herbal green pepper. Robust yet refined, this provides luscious ripe fruit deftly balanced with fresh acidity and firm tannins. A richly textured finish lingers on the palate, inviting sip after sip that pairs especially well with hearty fare. Sustainably grown.