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Animo - Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
- Producer Animo
-
Blend
83% Cabernet Sauvignon
17% Petit Verdot - Country USA
- Region California
- Appellation Napa Valley
- UPC 877397004474
Description
The Animo vineyard is located high atop Atlas Peak between 1,270-1,350 feet on 15 acres of rocky,
volcanic soil. The property sits on the edge of a steep canyon overlooking Foss Valley and was purchased
and planted by the Michael Mondavi family in 1999. The vineyard was named by Michael’s daughter, Dina,
who upon seeing the land, expressed that the site had “animo”, an Italian word meaning spirit or soul.
The Cabernet Sauvignon vines at Animo are of the Clone 4 variety planted on 110R rootstock, producing
structured fruit with ample tannins and acid to balance the concentrated dark fruit flavor.
Vinification
After the grapes were hand-harvested, de-stemmed and crushed, the juice cold soaked for four days prior to
fermentation in stainless steel. Aeration and cap management is handled though a series of punch-downs and pump-overs
for color and tannin extraction. Upon completion of fermentation, the lots macerate on the skins for 28-35 days before being pressed off.
The wine is barrel aged in 87% new French oak for 20 months before bottling.
Vintage
Napa Valley’s 2015 growing season was dramatic, but resulted in excellent quality fruit with great flavor
concentration. It began cool and wet, and by early summer winemakers knew harvest would be later than
normal. The early vine development was slowed down by a cool summer and then sped up by bursts of
heat throughout the valley in August. Vineyard management was vital in this vintage, and harvest was
accomplished not by one picking but by numerous to be sure that the grapes were properly ripened. This
harvest had its share of unexpected challenges as most typically do, but the reduced crop resulted in vines
yielding berries that showed great expression of their vineyards and rich, concentrated flavor.