2006 Kuimelis Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley
| Vintage: | 2006 |
| Wine Type: | Red Wine |
| Varietal: | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Appellation: | Alexander Valley |
| PH: | 3.58 |
| Aging: | 18 Months |
| Bottling Date: | August 2008 |
| Alcohol %: | 14.5 |
Perched on a steeply terraced slope at the Northern end of Alexander Valley, 1100 feet above sea level, Kuimelis Vineyard is ideally suited to Cabernet Sauvignon. Drastic diurnal temperature swings and Northern exposures allow for extended hang time, while rocky, volcanic soil and slopes force vines to reach deep for nutrients and water. Together, these influences limit yields and concentrate flavors in small, intense berries.
The dense, opaque color of this wine speaks to its hillside origins, promising intensity and rich fruit. From the first approach on the nose, blackberry fruit dominates, with accent notes of black cherry, dark chocolate, cola and sweet vanilla oak. Typical of Alexander Valley Cabernets, the palate is juicy and fruit-forward. More unusual is that from the first taste, neither fruit nor tannin dominates the palate. Instead, the wine’s focused, even beam of berry fruit and rounded tannins continues in parallel harmony throughout the lasting finish. This exceptional 2006 vintage will be richly rewarded by 3-5 years of further bottle maturation
This wine is truly a “block” selection, in that, in 2006, we divided Kuimelis Vineyard into five distinct parcels of vines, based on sun exposure, slope and elevation, and then selected the very best of these to makes this wine. Because the vineyard wraps around a mountain, sun exposures vary from Northern to Northwestern, as the terraced vines follow the topographic contours of the site. In addition, grapes at its higher elevations are exposed to colder night temperatures, which slows their ripening, preserves natural acidity and helps develop complexity and full flavor expression in the grapes. Thus, there are radically different ripening conditions in different areas of the vineyard, which necessitates keeping a close eye on each row and section of vines not just at harvest, but throughout the growing season.
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