Nickel & Nickel State Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

VINEYARD DESCRIPTION
State Ranch is located northeast of the town of Yountville. The 23-acre vineyard
is divided into two parcels by State Lane Road and consists of both older and
younger vines. Many excellent wines are produced from this area, in part due
to the rocky, loam soil which has excellent drainage throughout the year. The
vines, as well as the clusters, are moderate in size and the vineyard gets full sun
throughout the day. As the young vines mature, we will be harvesting many
different clones to make the final wine. Nickel & Nickel selects fruit from 11
acres of the vineyard.
HARVEST NOTES
Despite cooler temperatures in 2009, vine maturity in this vineyard was
normal throughout the year. Budbreak and bloom occurred in April and May
respectively, and the vines looked good. The crop load was slightly heavier
this year and required some thinning. Laterals and leaves were pulled early to
allow speckled light to reach the fruit, which was essential as the cool summer
persisted. The fruit developed its berry flavors in late October when the leaves
were starting to change color.
SENSORY EVALUATION
The 2009 State Ranch shows an intriguing combination of fruit and spice.
Cranberry and berry flavors intertwine with earth and cigar, and the toasty
component from the oak complements the fruit and adds an intriguing layer.
This vintage also has a rich structure, more typical of a hillside Cabernet. This
intense expression will allow this wine to age beautifully.
APPELLATION
Yountville, Napa Valley
VARIETAL
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
AGING
French oak barrels
(49% new, 51% once-used)
RELEASE DATE
September 2012
HARVEST DATES
October 18 - 19, 2009
SKIN CONTACT
9 days
TIME
16 months
FIRST VINTAGE
2006

Region Description

This tiny strip of land just north of San Francisco is home to America’s most prestigious wineries. Its climate is ideal for viticulture. Ironically, it was deemed too ideal for some vintners, who have moved their vineyards from the valley’s flat plain to the hills in the east and west, adhering to the idea that grapes that struggle to grow yield better wine. The climate, soil, and individual wineries are enormously varied, so it’s impossible to identify a singular trait of Napa wines. In addition, nearly every noble grape is grown here, although Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the primary grapes. In the past, Napa’s wines have alternated between extremely fruity and fat to lean and subtle. Today the best Napa wines have achieved a balance between these extremes. Many are made to be drunk young and have abundant ripe fruit; others can be initially hard and tannic, but soften over four or five years to perfumed, cedary fruit. White Napa wines are excellent with fresh-grilled fish and chicken, but can also cope with more spicy and creamy flavors. Many Napa reds will overwhelm delicate cuisine, but rich red meat and cheeses do make good companions.