Rob Hunter thinks of his Napa Valley Cab as a symphonic orchestra; a melange of string, woodwind and horn instruments that come together to create a piece of music containing Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Cab Franc gives a wonderful gingerbread spice, Malbec offers blueberry notes with a rounded palate, Petit Verdot provides a combination of violets and violence, and with Cabernet Sauvignon, the cassis and cooked berry jamminess, slight chalkiness and luscious chocolate all bring the wine together. This is Rob's vision for the quintessential Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon; it is the right color, flavor and texture, and each element works together in harmony to achieve perfection in the finished product.

After the fruit is hand picked, sorted, destemmed, and crushed, the must is cold soaked for 5-7 days to allow for the enzymatic extraction of color, aroma and flavor before yeast is added for the alcoholic fermentation. The fermentations are pumped over one to two times daily until soft tannins begin to show on the palate, and then the young wines are pressed. The wines are aged for eighteen months in French oak barrels, one third of which are new each vintage.

TASTING NOTES : Deep Red Purple Ruby. Dense Ripe fruit with aromas of candied violets, cassis, cedar, mint and mocha. Mouth filling, rich on the palate, with flavors of boysenberry fruit. The wine has velvety tannins and a long, luscious finish.

REVIEWS :
The Wine News, Best Value Selection, Summer 2009 :
90 Points

Anthony Dias Blue, Tasting Panel, June 2009 :
90 Points, Outstanding

Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences, April 2009 :
Very Highly Recommended

Vinography: A Wine Blog, April 2009 : 8.5-9 Points

VARIETAL COMPOSITION : 88% Cabernet Sauvignon,
8% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc

PRODUCTION : 305 cases