2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Reserve

Much like humans, vineyards experience a lifecycle as they evolve. Early grape production is limited, followed by the “teenage years” when the vines hormones kick in and the yield is abundant. As the vines mature, growth slows, but the fruit takes on richer flavor overtones and the resulting harvest is quite simply magnificent.

This is our second Estate Reserve release of Cabernet Sauvignon. As with the 2005 vintage, we separated the grapes from our most mature vines, extracted the juice and let it age in special barrels, allowing its unique and special qualities to emerge. The resulting wine is nothing short of exquisite. The color is deep purple at the core, with crimson edges. In the glass, it exhibits the quintessential characteristics of Topel Hidden Vineyard fruit — juicy red raspberry fruit, complimented by leather, subtle vanilla aromas and dark chocolate overtones. This Cabernet Sauvignon crosses the palate with dancing black cherry flavors softened by elegant tannins. If drinking now, pair it with grilled meats and other hearty foods. But be sure to lay down a couple of bottles in the cellar, where it will mellow out and become more complex over time — just like the best of us do!

Methodé: The grapes were field crushed and allowed to ferment in three-quarter ton lots. Each lot was punched down by hand four to five times a day for 24 days. The wine was then pressed into 50% new French oak barrels (Demptos and Taransaud). We aged the wine for 24 months before bottling. Afterward, it aged another 12 months before its release in November of 2009.

310 cases

92% Cabernet Sauvignon 5% Merlot 3% Petit Verdot