Artisan Wine & Spirits® Moone Tsai Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (Napa Valley, California) – 6046036295839

Our 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of ripe dark-fruits accented by anise. The mouth is expressive with layered flavors suggesting blueberry, raspberry, and cranberry, with loamy hints of cinnamon and licorice. With 26-months of aging in fine French oak; the wine reveals a pleasing acidity, and chalky, yet sweet silky tannins that melt on the palate; leaving a satisfying finish of wild berries and earthiness.

Much of this Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the Caldwell Vineyard in Coombsville, an area of southeast Napa Valley where soils are characterized by a unique blend of red volcanic soils and clay. The vineyard is planted on a gently sloping plateau, and the comparatively temperate climate of the area, versus the warmer territory up valley, serves to lengthen the growing season. The grapes are allowed to achieve full ripeness without the pressure of heat extremes common in warmer areas, and low vigor soils throughout the vineyard create small, dense clusters. With the addition of vibrant dark fruit from our preferred vineyard sources on Howell Mountain and in St. Helena, the resulting wine is opulent and evocative.

Varietal Composition: 83% Cabernet, 17% Merlot
Vineyards: Coombsville District, St. Helena District, Howell Mountain
Production: 1,002 cases
Harvest Date: Sept 30 – Nov 5, 2010
Cooperage: 56% new French oak; 44% 2-year oak: St. Martin, Fr. Freres, Taransaud
Bottle Date: March 11, 2013
Release Date: Scheduled for September 2013

Rank #39 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2011 & 95 Points – Wine Enthusiast Magazine (2008 vintage):
“One sip is all it takes to fall in love with this Cabernet, which contains a little Merlot. It’s rich and lush and authoritative on every level. The texture is soft as velvet, but the tannins are firm, backing up blackberry, cherry, chocolate, cassis, mineral and new oak flavors that are complex and linger long into the spicy finish. Such are the tannins that the wine is likely to age well through 2016, at least.” S.H. (11/1/2011)

91+ Points – Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar (2008 vintage):
“Saturated ruby-red. Lovely lift to the aromas of blackberry, violet pastille and menthol. Then juicy and lively on the palate, with a firm edge to the flavors of black cherry, wild herbs and crushed dark berries. Lots of Caldwell Vineyard fruit in here. This will need some bottle aging to harmonize and expand.” – Stephen Tanzer (May/June ’11)

93 Points – Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar (2007 Vintage):
“Good medium ruby. Deep aromas of dark fruits, licorice, graphite, flowers and smoky oak. Broad, suave and sweet, with an almost chocolatey ripeness to the dark fruit and sexy oak flavors. A lovely midweight wine, finishing with suave tannins and good echoing lift and length. Most of this blend is from Caldwell Vineyard vines facing northeast.” – Stephen Tanzer (May/Jun ’10)