2001 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ESTATE GROWN NAPA VALLEY

Tasting Notes: Dark purple plum, black cherry, and currant, with hints of anise and chocolate, are matched with overtones of creamy, toffee-toasted oak. The texture is especially velvety, the tannins smooth and polished, and the finish long and complex. Long Vineyards Cabernet is taking its place among the best produced in Napa Valley, on Pritchard Hill.

Grapes: The two-acre vertically trellised vineyard produces 300-500 cases a year. In 2001 the grapes were harvested at the end of September - beginning of October. Our 600-800 ft. elevation above the valley floor assures a frost-free growing season with early, even ripening. In 2001 bud break occurred in early March, several weeks earlier than the valley floor and high mountain vineyards. This allowed plenty of ripening time to produce the rich and pungent fruit.

Vinification: Fermentation took place in small vats, with 18 to 20 days of skin contact and 24 months aging in new Taransaud 60-gallon barrels. Egg white fining was used to clarify and reduce harsher tannins, and the wine is filtered to safeguard against any possibility of spoilage organisms.

Notes from Bob Long: In 2001 this vineyard was 11 years old and producing wines of great depth and great richness. Though we make the wine to be approachable now, we expect peak quality and character at seven to 10 years when the wine will transform into a stylistic approximation of beautiful Bordeaux. Our Cabernet is differentiated from many of our Napa Valley counterparts in several ways: well balanced and unblended Cabernet made for showing off at dinner time to compliment food, and great pricing.

Back to Releases