Truchard Carneros Cabernet Sauvignon

Truchard Vineyards is a highly respected, family owned estate in the Carneros district of Napa Valley, established in 1974 by Tony and Jo Ann Truchard. Originally purchased as an abandoned prune orchard, the vineyard now comprises around 400 acres of rolling hills and valleys with diverse soils of clay, shale, sandstone, volcanic rock and ash. Tony Truchard was an early pioneer of Carneros viticulture, helping put the region on the map for premium grapes. Historically the estate sold the majority of its fruit to renowned Napa producers including David Bruce, Saintsbury and Bouchaine. The estate today has a point of difference compared with many Napa wineries who buy in fruit from many locations across the appellation. Instead Truchard are valued for focusing on small parcels or single vineyard plots and producing wine made exclusively of fruit grown on their own estate.

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon reflects an excellent Carneros vintage marked by a light crop from a dry winter and moderate summer conditions that created concentrated, intense fruit. The Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with 15% Cabernet Franc to give an aromatic lift to the finished wine, in line with Californian varietal labelling laws allowing up to 15% of other permitted varieties in wines labelled as a single varital. After gentle destemming and fermentation with twice daily pump overs, the wine was aged for around 20 months in French oak barrels, 45% new, to build depth and texture. The palate reveals ripe plum, cassis, graphite, cedar, spice and vanilla, supported by fine grained tannins and vibrant acidity reminiscent of a cooler climate Bordeaux. Wine Enthusiast awarded this wine 92 points, noting its juicy ripe plum and berry fruit with cocoa depth. This Cabernet pairs beautifully with grilled rib eye, roasted lamb, hearty stews and mature cheeses.