2015 Domaine Eden Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon
$55
ABOUT
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 2% Malbec, 1.5% Petit Verdot, 1.5% Cabernet Franc
Barrel Regimen - French 50%- 10 % new; American 50%- 10% new aged 24 months in barrel
The heritage of Mount Eden Cabernet Sauvignon dates back to the 1890s, when the famed viticulturist Emmett Rixford of Woodside, California, obtained selected cuttings from Chateau Margaux in Bordeaux, France. Rixford planted his famous La Questa Vineyard with these selections, in the same proportions as found at Margaux.
In the late 1940s Martin Ray planted his first Cabernet vineyard with cuttings from the La Questa Vineyard. The present-day Estate Cabernet Sauvignon vines were planted in the early 1980s, using cuttings taken from these vines. Yields are low, typically one to two tons per acre. Soils are very thin (1-12 inches), with a dominant base of Franciscan shale. The climate is cool, especially for Cabernet, and influenced by the vineyard’s altitude and its proximity to San Francisco bay and the Pacific Ocean. The vines are trellised in a modern fashion, which allows for a more uniform ripening. The vineyard also contains small blocks of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
The lots are fermented separately using natural fermentations and French oak. Aging this wine to maturity for two years, no fining or filtration is conducted prior to bottling, just like the Estate regimen.
TASTING NOTES
The beautiful bouquet wafts from the glass in a sophisticated blend of black cherries, a touch of mint, lovely soil tones, Cuban cigars, gentle spice tones and a very refined base of new wood. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and nicely plush on the attack, with a fine core, impeccable focus and balance, modest, fine grained tannins and lovely length and grip on the nascently complex and classy finish.
