2005 DARE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
The 2005 DARE Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of select barrels from our estate vineyards on Howell Mountain and fruit sourced from Lewelling Vineyards in St. Helena. Notably one of the oldest family-owned and operated vineyards in the Napa Valley, the Lewelling Vineyards has produced quality Cabernet Sauvignon since 1864 and is an excellent complement to the fruit from our family-owned and organically farmed VIADER estate vineyards.
Winemaker Notes:
The DARE Cabernet Sauvignon emits concentrated aromas of ripe black cherry, dark currant, cassis, tobacco and cedar notes with faint hints of caramel. On the mid-palate, the vibrant tannins and well-integrated oak flavors give the impression that the wine is lightly dancing over one’s taste buds. Firm tannins grace the finish. This wine is to be enjoyed young or cellared for 3 to 5 years time from vintage date.
Winemaking:
Our DARE Cabernet Sauvignon receives extensive cold-soaking, warm fermentation, extended maceration on the skins for up to 60 days and malo-lactic fermentation while in barrel. The wine also received a treatment of batonage, or “stirring of the lees” in barrel to develop mid-palate. Finally it is put in safekeeping in our underground caves for the next 21 months in French oak barrels to complete the wine-aging process.
Growing Season:
Winter rains took pause for a dry, mild March then began again with record-setting precipitation late into the growing season delaying bloom and set. The summer months were cool and pleasant with few heat spikes. Fog and cool temperatures were a concern heading into September as sugar levels were yet to rise. Warm, nearly perfect conditions arrived with an Indian Summer making for a later than average harvest, allowing our fruit extended hang-time and ultimately excellent sugar development and balanced acids with an average crop load of what could be a signature vintage from Napa Valley.
RELEASE DATE: January 2008
HARVEST DATES: Oct. 10, 2005
WINEMAKER: Alan Viader (son) w. Delia Viader
APPELLATION: Napa Valley
AVG. BRIX AT HARVEST: 26.1° pH: 3.69
PRODUCTION: 2,000 cases
SUGGESTED RETAIL: $40.00
*photo courtesy of www.lewellingvineyards.com
