GRAND VIN DE CALIFORNIE

2023 Cabernet Sauvignon


AVA: Napa Valley AVA
Soil: Gravelly Clay Loam, Sandy Loam, Decomposed Volcanic Tuff
Trellis/Training: Bi-Lateral Cordon, VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning)
Harvest: October 2 - October 25, 2023
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 98.551%, Petit Verdot 1%, Malbec .347%, Merlot .102%
Fermentation: 3-day cold soak, 21-day primary fermentation, malolactic conversion in barrels
pH: 3.78
TA: 5.7 g/L
Alc: 14.5%

Vintage:


The 2023 vintage delivered incredible phenolic depth and complexity. After a decade of drought, vines benefited from one of the coldest, wettest winters on record. The balanced weather patterns allowed grapes to mature slowly while maintaining natural acidity and structure, producing wines of great potential for cellaring and elegance.

HISTORY


One of the most historic and coveted properties in the world -A2 Vineyard, as we denote it, was originally owned and planted by Thomas Rutherford in 1895. Georges de Latour, founder of Beaulieu, purchased the site in 1928 and it became the home to BV's Rutherford Cabernets made by the winemaker, Andre Tchelistcheff, throughout the '60's and '70's. The site was then purchased by Beckstoffer Vineyards in 1988. Thus, A2 stands for Andre and Andy, the two men pivotal to the founding and continuation of this preeminent property. The vineyard team has replanted using modern clones, trellising, and spacing to yield optimum quality. Wines from this site consistently score in the high 90s.

Vintage:


The 2023 vintage delivered incredible phenolic depth and complexity. After a decade of drought, vines benefited from one of the coldest, wettest winters on record. The balanced weather patterns allowed grapes to mature slowly while maintaining natural acidity and structure, producing wines of great potential for cellaring and elegance.