2011 Profile

42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc, 19% Petit Verdot, 15% Malbec

Winemaking

Profile is typically a blend comprised of the top vineyard sites in our portfolio across the Napa Valley, drawing on the strengths and complexity inherent in different soils and microclimates, and the 2011 vintage was no exception. The challenges faced with the 2011 vintage were mitigated by selecting from a small group of extremely well farmed vineyards including Stagecoach and Kenefick, where selection in the vineyard and again at the winery was critical to the success of this wine.

The same was true for our Profile Estate Vineyard which contributed nearly half of the fruit for this blend. While the sorting and selection process significantly reduced the overall yields, what we ended up with continues to showcase the exceptional fruit quality and expression of this outstanding vineyard.

Tasting Notes

Extremely severe selection in our estate vineyard (about 1 ton per acre) and then again in the winery led to a much lower quantity produced. Cabernet Sauvignon is still the core component of the blend, but the percentage in the final blend is lower than usual, in part due to so little Cabernet Sauvignon available for blending, but also from the very strong showing from the grapes we usually regard as playing a supporting role. This wine has aromas of violet, plum, black cherry, cassis, nutmeg, vanilla, dark chocolate, and the impression of minerality. Palate is restrained by Napa standards, but still full bodied and round, with all the color, depth, and persistence one expects from Profile.