Today, we’re bringing you a single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Red Hills AVA in Lake County. Located just north of Napa, this vineyard has proven an excellent source of elegant mountain fruit for a short list of big names in Napa and Sonoma. The secret’s just starting to slip out about this area, but not before this list gets its pick.
Lot 447 comes to us from a Napa house that can't get enough of this fruit. They use it in both a single-vineyard expression and in their proprietary red blend, but a slowdown in tasting room and wine club traffic, plus an influx of '23 fruit had them trimming programs so we got the call. We tasted through a selection of their wines, and this one blew us away. Under its original label it fetches $80/bottle, $960/case before shipping charges.
Our price: $19/bottle.
This high elevation vineyard reaches 2,500 ft above sea level. The red volcanic soil is what gives the Red Hills AVA its name, and it’s gravelly and well-draining soils force roots deep, strengthening the vines and producing small yields of tiny berries. At this elevation, UV levels are higher, creating thicker skins, resulting in ultra-concentrated fruit. Chilly nights and constant breezes keep vines cool, ensuring good acid retention. This is intense fruit, which in the right hands produces mind-tingling, cellar-worthy expressions of Cab Sauv.
Lot 447 is a 100% single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 15 months in 100% French oak with 60% new wood.
Dynamic nose of black cherry, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, new leather, with roasted red bell peppers underpinned. Fully integrated on the palate, incredible structure, and juicy, dark red fruits are framed by good acidity and grippy, plush tannins. The wine is still a touch youthful, however, waiting to fully unfold. The finish is dry and resonant with red-to-black fruit and dried herbs that carry on with great length amidst flecks of vanilla.
14.7% alc.
