Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Located in California's Napa Valley, the Pine Ridge estate encompasses several vineyards planted on the hillsides and alluvial plains of this iconic wine region. The Cabernet Sauvignon plots benefit from a Mediterranean climate tempered by the cool breezes of San Pablo Bay, as well as diverse soils blending gravel, silt, and clay. This mosaic of terroirs, distributed primarily around the Oakville, Rutherford, and Stags Leap District appellations, yields a concentrated and balanced expression of the region's flagship grape.

The grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness and then destemmed before maceration and fermentation in stainless steel tanks, with regular pump-overs to extract color and structure. After pressing, the wine is transferred to oak barrels for extended aging, primarily French oak, including a significant proportion of new wood, to refine the tannins, develop aromatic complexity, and impart the characteristic spicy and toasty notes of this Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

This wine reveals notes of ripe blackcurrant , black cherry , and blackberry , complemented by hints of violet and dried rose , as well as spicy nuances of black pepper and clove . Woody accents of vanilla , cedar , and chocolate mingle with a subtle mineral structure. The palate is full and velvety, supported by fresh acidity, firm yet polished tannins, and a long, harmonious finish.

In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors to California that revitalized the Californian wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in the Sonoma and Napa regions. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 800 wineries. From 1919 to 1933, Prohibition decimated the vast majority of the Californian wine industry, so that by 1933, only 140 wineries remained. It wasn't until 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition, and California was primarily known for producing fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous wineries were established (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc.). In 1976, a landmark event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgment of Paris." It pitted the greatest French wines against the new American upstarts. On May 24th, an unexpected result shook the wine world, as, to everyone's surprise, the United States emerged victorious. This competition, however, remains relatively unknown to the general public. Today, there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. While California largely dominates the reputation of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world, and Washington State offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.