2021 Windy Flats Cabernet Sauvignon

The Hill Family owns a remarkable vineyard, carved out of the western wall of Wooden Valley. The steep hills and rocky soils make the Cabernet Sauvignon work hard to produce fruit each year, but the reward is rich and intense wine. Wind and fog pour down over the vineyard from Napa, concentrating the flavors. Wine that is made from a single vineyard site is uniquely expressive of the factors that create its depth and structure. This wine also reflects the long experience Doug Hill has accumulated while growing Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley. In 2021, we had an early season because of the drought and some hot rollercoaster weather. The grapes came in on September 9 and 10, at 30 Brix for the Cabernet Sauvignon and 26 Brix for the Malbec and Petit Verdot after 10 days of high 90s and low 100s. Though a bit nerve wracking, the grapes were ripe, with black cherry and cassis flavors. We used FX10 yeast and fermented at 90 to 92 for 4 days, then we pressed off at 5 Brix, and the wine finished fermenting in barrels to give extra layers of depth and complexity. The 2021 Windy Flats Cabernet Sauvignon has bold aromas of black cherry, licorice and cocoa. The palate is big and intense, but deceptively drinkable. Again, black cherry and licorice!