Mount Eden Vineyards : Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

A Rich Cabernet Sauvignon with a Great Depth of Flavor

Founded in 1945, Mount Eden Vineyards is one of the original boutique wineries of California, with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon vines that can trace their lineage to some of the greatest crus of Bordeaux and Burgundy. Since taking over the winemaking in 1983, Jeffrey Patterson and his wife Ellie have made it their life's work to produce pure, authentic and expressive wines, which exude the true nature of their terroir - the infertile soils of Franciscan shale and the sunny, yet cool climate enjoyed by the vines at altitudes of 2,000 feet in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The Mount Eden Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 has a heritage that dates back to the 1890's, when viticulturist Emmet Rixford first planted Cabernet Sauvignon vines in his La Questa Vineyard in Woodside, California, with cuttings sourced from the famous Chateau Margaux in Bordeaux. In the 1940's, Martin Ray used cuttings from these vines to populate the vineyards of Mount Eden. The fruit that goes into the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is harvested from vines that were planted in the 1980's using cutting from those original vines. The property is also home to other Bordeaux varities, which also go into this blend. After harvest, the fruit is fermented in 1,000-gallon stainless steel tanks and the must punch down manually during a maceration process of 6-10 days after the completion of alcoholic fermentation. The wine finishes malolactic fermentation in Bordeaux-style new oak barrels, where it stays for 22 months. It is then bottled without being fined or filtered, and then ages 2 additional years before commercial release.

The Mount Eden Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 blends 78% Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The 2013 is a massive vintage, offering a wonderful depth of flavor and texture, along with a certain freshness. On the nose, this Californian Cabernet Sauvignon reveals notes of blackcurrant, graphite and mountain herbs. On the palate, it is full-bodied and rich with generous tannins. This wine will keep beautifully until 2020-2060.