2018 Profile 1.5L

82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

Winemaking

Profile is a true representation of our hillside estate vineyard in Conn Valley. Blended from the best lots produced across 25 sloped and rocky acres, it reflects each vintage’s unique characteristics through the diversity of clonal selections, rootstocks, soils, elevation, orientation and microclimates on the property. Located east of St. Helena and overlooking the Napa Valley, the Profile Estate Vineyard lies on an eastern ridge at almost one thousand feet of elevation. Planted in 1997 by David Abreu, Michel Rolland and then winemaker Bob Levy, the vineyard is comprised of five different clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, along with two acres of Cabernet Franc and one acre of Petit Verdot. The steep slopes, rocky soils and volcanic ash bedrock make it a very challenging site to farm, yet this vineyard consistently delivers grapes that stand out for their plush fruit character, complexity and silky tannin. The grapes were hand harvested at night in order to retain freshness and get the fruit in the cellar as cool as possible. The wine was vinified with classic Bordeaux techniques. Wild yeast fermentation began after five days of cold soak and reached peak temperature of 90°F. After 15 to 21 days of maceration, the wines were drained directly to barrel to complete spontaneous malolactic fermentation. We aged the wine for 21 months in 80% new French oak barrels. The wine was bottled without fining or filtration. 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

Tasting Notes

Silkily structured and loaded with fruit, this wine is the embodiment of powerful elegance. 2018 was a remarkable vintage—the long growing season allowed the grapes to achieve full phenolic maturity, while the lack of extreme weather created the ideal conditions for harvesting at peak ripeness. The resulting wine is both a winemaker’s and wine lover’s dream—fresh, tense, deep, complex and long. Aromatics of allspice, blue fruits, leather, cocoa and endless other descriptors impress as the waves of lush texture wash over the palate. Full bodied without being heavy, the wine’s natural acidity provides the freshness to balance the generous structure and fine mountain tannin. The finish is long and rewarding. Enjoy now and as the wine matures over the next 25+ years.