2006 Cain Concept

Winemaker's Notes:  2006 Cain Concept - The Benchland is Cabernet Sauvignon from the classical "benchlands" of the Napa Valley.  Cabernet grown on the eastern and western benches of Oakville, Rutherford, and St Helena has defined the greatness of the Napa Valley for more than 100 years.  In the Cain way, we blend using Cabernet franc and Merlot to add nuance, structure and length to the finish.  2006 will shurely be noted as a classic year for Napa Valley Cabernet.  The wine opens up slowly - but surely, revealing hints of black cherry liqueur, then a delicate note of cedar.  A smoothe, sweet entry carries along to a rich, chocolaty mid-palate, and a warm and graceful but firm finish.  Even though this wine wants another ten years, you can drink it today.

Composition (Blend): 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc

Winemaking: Hand picking, gentle distemming, native-yeast fermentation, thoughtful maceration, and manual pressing.  The wines complete malolactic fermentation in the barrel, are blended in the spring following harvest, and are racked barrel to barrel.  The 2006 Cain Concept was egg-white fined and bottled without filtration in June of 2008, following 21 months in French oak (75% new).