2015 Ehret Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley

93 pts, Blue Lifestyle, Anthony Dias Blue: Lush and silky with lovely depth, balance and finesse; complex notes of plum, cherry and chocolate define this
elegant expression; rich yet balanced and quite lovely.
Estate Notes: 2015 was the fourth and final year of drought for California. The dry winter kicked off the growing season to a very early start. Flowering and fruit set were impeded somewhat, but the long, dry, often hot summer ripened the fruit perfectly. Harvest went smoothly under excellent weather. Yields were way down but that resulted in remarkably dense, plush fruit flavors and aromas.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is a forward, dense, and plentiful offering with layers of juicy flavors. Black cherry, chocolate, and plum unfold onto a firm tannin structure that exudes just enough richness to promote a balanced, long, and lingering finish. The palate fleshes out in undulating waves of fruit and oak flavors and finishes smoothly on each sip. Enjoy now and over the next 5-6 years. 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot.  50% new French Oak barrels. 360 cases produced.
The fruit for this wine is harvested by hand from the Ehret Family’s estate Bavarian Lion Vineyards located in Knights Valley. The Knights Valley AVA is protected from the marine influence of the Pacific Ocean, making it the warmest AVA in Sonoma County. The vineyards on the estate range from 400-800 feet in elevation and are located just north of Calistoga and east of Alexander Valley, on the foothills of Mount St. Helena. The unique topography and soil content make this a most desirable area to grow Bordeaux and Northern Rhône grapes. The soil consists of well drained, very gravelly and sandy loams formed from mixed sedimentary and basic rock.