2016 Vintage: “A near-perfect growing season” is how critics, winemakers, and growers throughout Napa have described the 2016 vintage. The growing season began much earlier than average but without any extreme heat spikes like 2015. The midsummer months followed with mild and warm days. This absence of high temperatures provided the ideal growing conditions for our grapes; too much heat and the vines shut down to protect themselves.

This warm and gradual weather allowed the skins of the grapes to develop their aromatics, tannins, color, and flavors while keeping sugar development in check and acidity high. The fall followed suit with warm sunny days providing even and steady ripening of the fruit and a nice and steady pace for picking and processing. The final product resulted in what may be the best wines from TVH to date.

Tasting Notes: Beautiful red and garnet color seems to shimmer. The 2016 Cab Franc exudes energy and brightness with fresh raspberry compote, blackberry bramble, tart cherry, pencil lead, petrichor, rose petals, fresh-cut herbs, and sous bois. This is a polished expression of Cab Franc without diluting all the amazing varietal characteristics we love about the grape. The fruit, acids, and tannins meld harmoniously and will develop into something truly special in your cellar.
 

Harvest October 16th - 20th, 2016

100% TVH Oakville Estate fruit

90% Cabernet Franc
10% Cabernet Sauvignon

Clone 1 Cabernet Franc
Clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon

Brix 25.4°
14.5% ABV
pH 3.52 / TA .68

Fermentation started with indigenous yeast then finished with the addition of Saccharomyces bayanus in closed stainless-steel tanks after a three-day cold soak

30 months in French Oak barrels - 50% new oak

18 Months bottle aging

100 Cases produced