2019 Jarvis Lake William Napa

In 1993, one dark night during fermentation pumpovers William Jarvis accidentally pumped a third of a tank of Cabernet Franc into a tank of Cabernet Sauvignon. Both he and our winemaker consultant Dimitri Tchelistcheff were distraught until the fermentation was complete and Dimitri declared the wine “not that bad”. The accidental blend, something akin to a Bordeaux Blend was an immediate hit with the winery guests and since 1996, Lake William has been made yearly with that same blend of red grapes always coming from the vineyards cooled by the breezes off Lake William.

The 2019 growing season yielded high-quality fruit with remarkable concentration and complexity. Our Lake William blend captures the beauty of the vintage with a deep, richly hued garnet color. Aromas of cardamom and clove unfold gracefully alongside notes of dark plum, ripe cherry, and a whisper of blueberry. On the palate, juicy tannins are beautifully balanced by refreshing acidity, carrying the wine’s complexity through to a long, lingering finish.

Aged 24 months in 100% New French Haute Futaie oak.