Lancaster Estate - Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Vintage

2014 proved to be a challenging yet abundant vintage in the Alexander Valley. Midsummer sugars were initially ahead of flavor development, but cool weather in September stalled ripening. This resulted in an even ripening, where the grapes reached full flavor potential through optimal maturity. The grapes were harvested from September 11 - October 13, 2014 with higher yields for the third consecutive year.

Cooperage

The 2014 was aged 26 months in 100% French oak. We chose barrels from several coopers including Darnajou, Taransaud, Demptos, Ermitage, Saury, Bel Air and Sylvain. 60% of the barrels were new and all were coopered using a combination of Medium, Medium Plus, Medium Long, and Heavy toast levels to provide optimal integration and balance.

Estate

Consistent with Lancaster Estate's commitment to making wines of authenticity and place, all of our wines are estate grown, produced and bottled. Native yeasts are used for primary fermentation while secondary malolactic fermentation occurs naturally in barrel. To preserve the truest expression of our estate, the Lancaster Estate 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon was gently fined and then bottled unfiltered.

Our thoughts

The 2014 Lancaster Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful wine that captures the pure expression of our unique terroir here at Lancaster Estate. It is a blend of all five of the red Bordeaux varietals we have planted on our volcanic hillside slopes. Bold aromas of dark raspberry, cherry, and violet are complemented by a refined minerality. It is well-structured and focused with silky tannins that frame the blackberry, currant, vanilla, and spicy dark chocolate flavors. Endless layers continue to evolve on the palate as the wine opens leading to an elegant, lingering finish. An approachable wine in its youth, this Cabernet will only gain in complexity and will drink well for the next 15-20 years

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