Forefathers Cabernet Sauvignon

Description

Forefathers Lone Tree Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a 3 acre parcel just north of Geyserville. This mountain vineyard faces east and avoids hot afternoon temperatures. East-facing slopes are a relatively rare occurrence in the Alexander Valley, as most are either heavily forested or too steep to plant.Lying at an 800 elevation, it runs cooler than those on the valley floor and ripens very slowly at first. Starting in September the morning fogs roll in and shroud the valley completely. Lone Tree is above the fogline and gets abundant sunshine for the remainder of the season. The overall season is longer than the others though and the longer hang-times translate into more complexity and depth.Lone Tree is cane-pruned, a technique which produces smaller berries, less dense clusters, and a more open canopy. The benefit is more even ripening. More black fruit, more depth, and more power is the signature of these much sought after east-facing sites.Vintage Notes Another vintage in the current drought cycle. A warm, dry winter got the season off to a fast start early bud break and a near-ideal fruit set. These conditions led to a very early harvest. The rain events in September and October had virtually no effect on the grapes. Berries came in small and the tannins soft and supple. Darker fruits were noted on the fruit spectrum in this vintage akin to the 2013 but with mid-weight structure like the 2012 vintage.Tasting Note Blackberry, black raspberry, cassis, and violets in the nose. Cinnamon spice lingers underneath. Dark fruits of blueberry and black currant are tightly woven with dark chocolate nuances from the French Oak. Nicely structured with ripe tannins and bright acidity. White pepper and raspberry finish. – Goldschmidt Vineyard