2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
After years of making critically acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon for others, including Chateau St Jean (Cinq Cepages), Xtant and Stephanie, winemaker Jeff Gaffner is releasing the first Cabernet Sauvignon under his own Saxon Brown label.Winemaker Notes:
The fruit for our 2004 Saxon Brown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from select Napa Valley vineyards where my relationship as a consulting winemaker gave us access to special blocks and even individual rows of fruit. We picked the grapes in the cool of the early morning and delivered them to the winery by 10am to preserve the fresh fruit character. After very carefully destemming, we cold soaked the berries for three days at 45 degrees; pumping over 3-4 times daily. On the fourth day, the tank was allowed to slowly heat up and begin fermentation. During the 14-day fermentation, the must warmed from 45F to 92F, before being pressed off the skins to new French Burgundy barrels - yes, Burgundy barrels! To achieve the style I wanted and knew these grapes were capable of producing, we needed to age the wine in barrel for over three years, and for that I wanted to use the tightest grained barrels we could find. After 36 months in barrel and another 24 months in bottle, I think this may be one of the best Cabs I have ever made. Enjoy!
Tasting Notes:
Appearance: Dark, opaque, deep garnet color.
Nose: A core of rich, dark fruit with notes of mocha, brown spice, dark chocolate, sweet pipe tobacco and sweet coffee.
Palate: Very rich, very elegant with incredible complexity; a wonderfully long finish with silky tannins
Serving: Decant for up to an hour and the wine achieves a transcendent quality, in keeping with the finest Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons
Case Production: 168
Retail Price: $75.00
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