Trione 2018 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Block 21
The 2018 vintage will be one described by poets and songwriters…it was a season of dreams. The harvest began in earnest the second week of September, which is considered normal in most years, but for the past three or four harvests it would seem late. The season was of almost perfect pace and timing, with fruit ripening on a gradual scale which allowed for a much more relaxed tenor to the usual more frantic time of year. The term “hang-time” gets used a lot in describing harvests, but 2018 sure proved to be the harvest of hang-time. A moderate summer, leading to a moderate fall weather pattern allowed for full flavor development across all varieties.
Retail: $70
Cases produced: 1,210 six-packs
Winemaking
This wine is a classic Bordeaux-blend. It is composed of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 8% Merlot and 2% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. We hand-harvested and fermented each variety separately, then moved the wines to the barrel, where it aged for twelve months. Once we determined our blend, we returned the wine to the barrel for an additional twelve months, to ‘marry’ the varietals. We used tight grained French oak barrels exclusively for this wine.
Tasting Notes
The Trione 2018 Block 21 Cabernet Sauvignon is more Left Bank in style, reminiscent of the Medoc. While Pauillac in character, this wine is vibrant with hints of black currant, raspberry, and blackberry on the nose. It is rich, with a silky-fine tannin structure and mid-palate with a long lingering finish that foretells a long cellar life. Enjoy now and for the next 5-10 years.
