SOUTHERN / AMERICAN / PACIFIC WINE & SPIRITS® Antica (Antinori) Cabernet Sauvignon – 6058275012767

About This Wine:
Antica is an Antinori Family estate in the Napa Valley. The family’s winemaking heritage dates back 26 generations and over 600 years in Italy. ‘Antica’ represents Antinori California, and fulfills the family’s longstanding desire to produce beautiful wines in Napa Valley.
Set in the northwest corner of the estate is a 40-acre parcel of land purchased in 1998 from longtime friend and neighbor, Mrs. June Townsend. The Antinori family planted 24 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon there in 1999 and named it “Townsend Vineyard” in tribute.

Townsend Vineyard is planted high on the ridge of the upper Rector Canyon watershed. The soil is made up of Pliocene volcanic, mainly of andesite and basalt rocks. Townsend Vineyard’s architecture is derived from the Antinori vineyard philosophy in Tuscany. All planting decisions were based on row direction (east to west) to attain the best sun exposure; high density vine spacing (2,233 vines per acre) to achieve low fruit yield per vine; and selection of rootstocks and clones best suited to the land and climate to ensure ideal fruit expression.

Only 22% of the grapes harvested from Townsend Vineyard were used to create the “Townsend Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon. This small vineyard area was harvested on September 30 and October 1. The yield was slightly less than 2 pounds of fruit per vine. Great care was taken to select clusters of uniform maturity.

92 Points – Antonio Galloni:
“The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Townsend Vineyard is very pretty. Graphite, mocha, spices and dark plums all blossom in a textured, expressive Cabernet Sauvignon that will drink well for the next 10-15 years. The addition of 5% Cabernet Franc in the blend adds gorgeous aromatic nuance, but this remains a supple, forward Cabernet best enjoyed while the fruit retains its juiciness.” – Antonio Galloni (October 2014)

90 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:
“The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Townsend is a classic Napa offering with impressive ripeness buttressed by a European tannic structure. This dark ruby/purple-colored wine is still young, and less flattering than many 2012s. However, do not mistake that for a lack of quality or potential as this Cabernet offers up plenty of cassis, loamy soil, tobacco leaf and spice characteristics. Medium-bodied and concentrated, it plays it close to the vest so requires several more years of bottle age. It should keep for 12-15 years.” – Robert M. Parker, Jr. (Oct 2014)