2019 Checkerboard Cabernet Sauvignon Aurora Vineyard Napa, USA

Aurora Vineyard is nestled in a small valley midway up Diamond Mountain on a large knoll located at an elevation of 1,200 feet. The knoll projects off the mountainside, giving the vineyards full Southern exposure and open light from the East and West and protection from Napa Valley's summer fog. Six acres of the vineyard are planted in the knoll's rich, volcanic soils that are riddled with basalt cobble in a loamy red clay. The remaining six acres are planted in a deep gravely mix of white volcanic ash and chips of decomposed Rhyolite that were washed down from the steep, rocky crags of Diamond Mountain above.

The 2019 vintage of Aurora Vineyard is a wine of finesse and elegance and is characterized by its broad palate that begins at entry and follows through to a stunning and lengthy finish. To create this seamless wine, the vineyard was harvested several times over a two week period. The fruit was manually selected berry-by-berry and then fermented in both stainless tank and wood barrels, creating numerous wine lots with subtle but distinct nuances. The 2019 vintage offers classic Aurora aromas and flavors of wild blackberry, cassis, candied cherry and vanilla, cinnamon and clove. A stunner. Checkerboard Vineyards, Winemaker Martha McClellan

The 2019 comprises 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot, with berry-by-berry selection, and aged 28 months in 100% new French oak barrels.