2015 Steele Cabernet Sauvignon Red Hills Lake County

Vineyards

The Red Hills appellation in LakeCountyi s a new AVA (American Viticultural Area). The iron-rich, red soil of Red Hills is laden with obsidian, a glassy black volcanic rock that glistens in the afternoon sun. Well known NapaValleygrape grower Andy Beckstoffer bought up a piece of the Red Hills AVA, planting it in Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals with which he is very familiar. We have been receiving clone 6 and clone 37 grapes from Andy since 2002.

Winemaking

The grapes are pressed to stainless steel tank and undergo 2-3 week fermentation with an extended maceration to extract every ounce of flavor. This wine is then laid down in a combination of French and French/American hybrid oak barrels to age for a year and a half before bottling. 

Tasting Notes

This wine has a rich, fruit-forward elegance. A spicy fruit and berry core backed up by soft tannins makes it a nice glass of wine for casual sipping among friends.