Aril RESERVE Cabernet Sauvignon CALISTOGA Napa Valley 2017
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Winemaking Notes
90% Cabernet Sauvignon & 10% Petit Verdot
(20% Barrel Fermented)
65% new French oak barrels (Taransaud, Remond, Ermitage, & Atelier) for 30 months
450 cases produced Alc.: 14.5% pH: 3.68 Winemaker/Viticulturist: Ehren Jordan
Vineyard
Our Estate Vineyard is located in the Calistoga AVA. It is north of the town, surrounded by rolling hills, and in view of Mt. St Helena. It is close to and towards Knights Valley. The property has its own micro-climate, often cooler then the city of Calistoga, with an afternoon breeze helping moderate the temperature. Calistoga has the largest diurnal temperature variation among Napa Valley AVAs. There are gentle slopes within the vineyard showcasing its diversity. There is a mix of soils from fine sandy/clay loam on the bench to a darker, eroded volcanic component on the lower portion. Throughout, there is a significant rocky aspect aiding in drainage and minimizing vigor. Yields are small (2 to 3 tons per acre). Ehren Jordan has farmed this property organically since 2011.
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Tasting Notes
2017 was a smaller yielding vintage, which attributed to the quality of this vintage. Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, this vintage has a European character, focused on expressing their provenance and vintage, rather than a typical stylized personality that emphasizes fruit concentration and tannin power so characterized by this AVA.
Being an estate from the most northern part of the Napa Valley, we were fortunate enough to have picked our grapes three days before the start of the 2017 fires. In 2017, we decided to go back to blending our estate Petite Verdot into our bottling because of the structure that Petite Verdot gives our wines. The power of Calistoga Cabernet starts with black fruit, ripe plum, and baking spice; the density of the wine reminds me of a dense plum compote. The mid-palate is supported by great acidity and weight, while the tannins are ripe with a lengthy, lingering finish that will help with the aging of the wine in the bottle for the next 3 - 5 - 15 years. 2017 marks our first time using “Reserve” on our label to signify the quality.