Waterstone Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2010 is made from 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc

Vintage
Mother Nature framed the 2010 growing season with above-average precipitation in Napa Valley, with Spring rains ending in May and resuming in late October. The season was slightly cooler than normal, testing the skills of vineyard managers as they sought to speed up the ripening process. The harvest season was brought to a quick close in late October by an advancing Pacific storm system. Overall, tonnage was off by as much as 20% but vintners were pleased with the quality of the crop.

Vineyards
Well-established hillside vineyards are the foundation of this wine, giving the finished blend its intense inner core of fruit. The complexity and balance of this vintage was achieved through diverse sourcing.

Vinification
The grapes were hand picked at optimum ripeness. Following destemming, the grapes were stainless steelfermented and received extended skin contact before being transferred to barrels. The wine was aged in small French oak barrels for 24 months (80% new barrels) where the wine completed malolactic fermentation. The wine was racked prior to bottling

Tasting Notes
With its Bordeaux-like presence, this wine is deep, rich, and lingering. Firm, integrated tannins frame the concentrated, dark fruit (currant, black cherry, wild berry, plum.) Toasty oak and an earthy edge add to the wine’s great complexity.