Overview

2016 Rutherford/Napa AVA Cabernet Sauvignon

The Dark Force of the wine world, this Cab does not disappoint, however it displays elegance to balance it all out. Dark fruit, tobacco, and herbal notes combine to make this a must-have in anyone’s wine rack.

A no-brainer to pair with special occasion, but also a fabulous pairing with life’s small victories. Drink one tonight!

Winemaker's Notes

This offering of Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from a critically-acclaimed vineyard located at the north end of the Rutherford AVA in Napa Valley may seem out of place at m2. Maybe. Maybe not. After all, our connection with Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford dates to 2002. Long-time customers of m2 will remember those wines, especially the 2006 Clone Six Cabernet Sauvignon.

The grapes were harvested at dawn in September 2016, and delivered to our winery that same morning. After careful sorting the grapes were destemmed and lightly crushed. Half of this wine was fermented in open bins, the other half was fermented in two new French oak barrels.

Barrel fermentation of red wine is a very unusual and laborious technique. The new French oak barrels were filled with crushed grapes through a stainless steel hatch in the head of the barrel. Rolling the barrel at least twice a day controlled the fermentation speed while imparting silky tannins and a lush roundness to the wine.

After pressing the wine was cellared for 18 months and bottled on April 30, 2017.

VINEYARD

•  Rutherford, Napa Valley 
•  Age of Vines: appx. 50 years 
•  Vertical shoot positioning, four spurs per  cordon, drip irrigation as needed

FERMENTATION

• New French oak barrels and open bins
• Yeast strains: FX10, BDX, D21

ELEVAGE

Eighteen months - new French oak, 

• Malolactic fermentation in barrel
• Racked three times 
• 14.8% ABV – pH 3.6 – TA 6.4 g/L – RS 0.6 g/L

70 CASES PRODUCED