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We strive to act instead of react. We practice patience through careful observation. We aim for balance and equilibrium between fruit expression, texture, and acidity.
Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are harvested at the exact moment of optimal maturity to retain freshness. Winemaking is a respectful dance with nature that requires an open mind, attention to detail, and mindfulness of the land and its bounty in any growing season.
100 Points, 2023 Vintage — "Coming from the cooler, western side of Yountville in the Sleeping Lady Vineyard, the 2023 AD VIVUM Cabernet Sauvignon Sleeping Lady Vineyard offers a First Growth-like nose of crème de cassis, graphite, freshly sharpened pencils, and spring flowers. Based on 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged 18 months in 75% new French oak, it's medium to full-bodied and flawlessly balanced on the palate, with ultra-fine tannins and a great finish. It topped out my scale and will be a 30- to 40-year wine. This is easily the finest vintage I've tasted of this cuvée, and it's as good as anything in the vintage – or the world for that matter."
2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sleeping Lady Vineyard, Napa Valley
Composition:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Growing Season:
Winemaking:
Tasting Notes:
2022 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sleeping Lady Vineyard, Napa Valley
Composition:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Single-Vineyard:
All fruit for the 2022 AD VIVUM Cabernet Sauvignon was grown at Sleeping Lady Vineyard, in Yountville, Napa Valley. As the southernmost vineyard in the Yountville AVA, this location enjoys significant cooling from nearby San Pablo Bay, which promotes gradual ripening, as well as acid and color retention. These blocks are at the vineyard’s uppermost western perimeter along the Mayacamas Mountains, with rows oriented southwest-northeast. The Bettinelli family farms the vineyard meticulously, using sustainable and responsible farming techniques.
Soil:
The soil profile reveals Keefers dark gravelly-sandy clay loam of alluvial origin. This matrix allows excellent drainage and moderate water-holding capacity.
Growing Season:
The 2022 season was marked by low yields and long periods of ideal weather punctuated by several heat events, the last of which took place Labor Day weekend. However, our blocks at Sleeping Lady Vineyard once again demonstrated their resilience to weather anomalies by virtue of their proximity to the western hills. Late afternoon shade and a spring-fed aquifer are our key to even ripening and consistent fruit quality. The final crucial weeks of ripening prior to harvest on September 26 could not have been more perfect, allowing us to harvest fruit with ample freshness and natural acidity.
Winemaking:
Following night harvesting, gentle de-stemming, and optical berry sorting, the cold must was transferred to tanks (77%) and barrels (23%), for primary fermentation. Total maceration time prior to draining of the free run was 17 days, at which point the warm wine was drained into 75% new French oak barrels for 20 months of aging prior to bottling on July 26, 2024, exactly 22 months after harvest.
Tasting Notes:
Visually stunning in its deep garnet-purple hue, the 2022 Ad Vivum offers an aromatically rich bouquet of black plum, blackberry, and Bing cherry, layered with subtle hints of fennel and forest floor. As the wine unfolds on the palate, silky tannins emerge and build gracefully to a crescendo, leading to an extended finish marked by the same vibrant fruit and savory notes present at the start. This is a finely structured, expressive wine that reflects both the precision of the vineyard and the elegance of the vintage.
2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sleeping Lady Vineyard, Napa Valley
Composition:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon (75% Clone 191, 25% Clone 7)
Single-Vineyard:
All fruit for the 2021 AD VIVUM Cabernet Sauvignon was grown at Sleeping Lady Vineyard, in Yountville, Napa Valley. Sleeping Lady, the southernmost vineyard in the Yountville AVA, is in a location that enjoys ample cooling from nearby San Pablo Bay, which promotes gradual ripening. These blocks are at the vineyard’s uppermost western perimeter along the Mayacamas Mountains, with rows oriented southwest-northeast. The Bettinelli family farms the vineyard meticulously, using sustainable and responsible farming.
Soil:
The soil profile shows Keefers dark gravelly-sandy clay loam of alluvial origin.
Growing Season & Harvest:
2021 was a dry season, but good late winter rains provided soil moisture for a good bud break. Early shoot growth and canopy development were strong at Sleeping Lady, due to water from upslope springs being metered into the water table. Summer temperatures, with just one period of heat, were exceptionally favorable to the development of tannins and color in Cabernet Sauvignon. Little crop thinning was required, as the vines once again naturally set a quantity of fruit tailored to the canopy size. The final stage of ripening was picture-perfect -steady and gradual.
Winemaking:
All fruit was harvested in the early morning hours of October 11th. After gentle de-stemming and optical berry sorting, the cold must was transferred to tanks (75%) and barrels (25%), where it was allowed to warm up naturally. Primary fermentation was slow but steady, and total time on the skin was 18 days. The new wine was then drained immediately into 75% new French oak barrels for 20 months of aging prior to bottling in July 2023. 2,400 bottles produced.
Tasting Notes:Deep red garnet, with a vermillion edge, the 2021 Ad Vivum is visually stunning. Palpable tension in the entire tasting profile lifts and integrates the dense blackcurrant fruit and ripe, seamless, fine-grained structure. Subtle notes of graphite, espresso, and cedar are woven gracefully into the whole. The finish is long, aromatically complex, and voluptuous. Clearly a wine to be involved in both the short term and for 2 or 3 decades to come, this is a very polished wine designed to please all of your senses.
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sleeping Lady Vineyard, Napa Valley
Composition:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon (75% Clone 191, 25% Clone 7)
Single-Vineyard:
The 2019 Ad Vivum Cabernet Sauvignon was grown in two small blocks at Sleeping Lady Vineyard, in Yountville, Napa Valley. Sleeping Lady, the southernmost vineyard in the Yountville AVA, is in a location that enjoys ample cooling from nearby San Pablo Bay, which promotes gradual ripening. These blocks are at the vineyard’s uppermost western perimeter along the Mayacamas Mountains, with rows oriented southwest-northeast. The Bettinelli family farms the vineyard meticulously, using sustainable and responsible farming.
Soil:
The soil profile shows Keefers dark gravelly-sandy clay loam of alluvial origin.
Growing Season & Harvest:
The 2019 vintage for the Ad Vivum blocks at Sleeping Lady gave us slightly below-average yields with fruit showing excellent balance, freshness and depth. From the very start, the 2019 has developed much like the exciting 2013 and 2016 vintages in Napa, particularly at Sleeping Lady. The 2019 Ad Vivum is already displaying considerable elegance, silky tannins, and a distinctly vibrant quality. Without a doubt, it was early budbreak and a long, relatively mild season that allowed for the development of outstanding fruit in this vintage.
Winemaking:
The berries were gently de-stemmed, and then sorted both optically and by hand. Having been harvested at night, the must was very cold (48°F) when it was transferred to tanks (70%) and barrels (30%), where it was allowed to warm up naturally. Primary fermentation was slow but steady, and total time on the skin was 21 days. The new wine was then drained immediately into 75% new French oak barrels for 20 months of aging.
Bottling:
350 cases, July 2021
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sleeping Lady Vineyard, Napa Valley
Composition:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon (67% Clone 191, 33% Clone 7)
Single-Vineyard:
Ad Vivum Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in two small blocks at Sleeping Lady Vineyard, in Yountville, Napa Valley. Sleeping Lady, the southernmost vineyard in the Yountville AVA, is in a location that enjoys ample cooling from nearby San Pablo Bay, which promotes gradual ripening. These blocks are found at the vineyard’s uppermost western perimeter along the Mayacamas Mountains, with rows oriented southwest-northeast. The vineyard is sustainably and meticulously farmed by the Bettinelli family.
Soil:
The soil profile shows Keefers dark gravelly-sandy clay loam of alluvial origin.
Growing Season & Harvest:
The 2018 vintage for the Ad Vivum blocks at Sleeping Lady showed slightly above-average yields with excellent quality, the result of well-timed rainfall in March and April. Budbreak was a bit late, water stress was virtually non-existent, and warm, even temperatures allowed for a leisurely pace for harvest. Peak phenolic ripeness was reached for Ad Vivum fruit, dictating harvest for both clones on October 17th. The wine developed an alluring tension and great depth in barrel, and continues to become increasingly complex in bottle.
Winemaking:
The berries were gently de-stemmed, and then sorted both optically and by hand. The must was cool-soaked for 48 hours prior to fermentation in 75% stainless and 25% new French oak barrels. Total maceration time was 23 days. Drained warm into 75% new French oak barrels for 20 months of aging, 475 cases were bottled on June 30, 2020.
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sleeping Lady Vineyard, Napa Valley
Composition:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon (55% Clone 191, 45% Clone 7)
Single-Vineyard:
Ad Vivum Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in two small blocks at Sleeping Lady Vineyard, in Yountville, Napa Valley. Sleeping Lady, the southernmost vineyard in the Yountville AVA, is in a location that enjoys ample cooling from nearby San Pablo Bay, which promotes gradual ripening. These blocks are found at the vineyard’s uppermost western perimeter along the Mayacamas Mountains, with rows oriented southwest-northeast. The vineyard is sustainably and meticulously farmed by the Bettinelli family.
Soil:
The soil profile shows Keefers dark gravelly-sandy clay loam of alluvial origin.
Growing Season & Harvest:
50 inches of welcome rainfall in winter and spring, along with warm weather, led to early budbreak. Growing season temperatures were normal, with the notable exception of three discrete periods of intense heat, with temperatures over 100 degrees, in mid-June, at the end of August, and in mid-September. Both the geographic location of Sleeping Lady and the close proximity of our blocks to the Mayacamas range were key factors in maintaining excellent fruit quality through harvest during the nights of October 5th and 7th.
Winemaking:
The berries were gently de-stemmed, and then sorted both optically and by hand. The must was cold-soaked for 5 days, and then fermented in 75% stainless and 25% new French oak barrels. Total maceration time was 20 days. Drained warm into 70% new French oak barrels for aging, the wine was bottled after 17 months.
Bottling:
June 2019
5,220 bottles (750mL), 24 Magnums (1.5L), 1 Solomon (18 L)
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sleeping Lady Vineyard, Napa Valley
Composition:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon (56% Clone 7, 44% Clone 191)
Single-Vineyard:
The 2016 Ad Vivum Cabernet Sauvignon emerged from two small micro-blocks at Sleeping Lady Vineyard, in Yountville, Napa Valley. The vines are located at the vineyard’s uppermost western perimeter along the Mayacamas Mountains. Row orientation is southwest-northeast. The vineyard is sustainably and meticulously farmed by the Bettinelli family.
Soil:
The soil profile shows Keefers dark gravelly-sandy clay loam of alluvial origin.
Winemaking:
The berries were destemmed, sorted optically, then again by hand. The must was fermented slowly in 79% stainless, 21% new French oak barrels. Total maceration time was 19 days. The wine was aged in 65% new French oak barrels for 18 months prior to bottling.
Growing Season & Harvest:
The 2016 season at Sleeping Lady started on a positive note, with average winter rainfall and a warm spring, leading to healthy canopy emergence. Yield for our Cabernet was right at average levels, and a warm period at the end of June slowed canopy growth nicely. The privileged position of being the southernmost vineyard in the Yountville AVA, where fall weather is a bit cooler than the valley proper, paid off – the choice of the optimum date for harvest was not in the least challenging. All of the fruit was harvested together and co-fermented.
Tasting Notes:
Dark ruby in color, the 2016 Ad Vivum leads with dazzling aromas of cassis, violets and wild fennel. Texturally, the wine is fresh and silky, with an underlying core of dense tannic structure that adds both tension and balance. A timeless expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from one of the best recent Napa vintages, the 2016 will drink now through 2050.
Harvest:
October 7, 2016
Bottling:
July 2018
5,200 Bottles (750 mL), 24 Magnums (1.5L), 1 Solomon (18 L)
2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sleeping Lady Vineyard, Napa Valley
Composition:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Single-Vineyard:
Ad Vivum Cabernet Sauvignon is made from one small micro-block of vines at Sleeping Lady Vineyard, in Yountville, Napa Valley. The vines are located at the vineyard’s uppermost western perimeter along the Mayacamas Mountains. Row orientation is southwest-northeast. The vineyard is sustainably and meticulously farmed by the Bettinelli family.
Soil:
The soil profile shows Keefers dark gravelly-sandy clay loam of alluvial origin.
Winemaking:
Following de-stemming, berries were sorted optically, then by hand. The must was cold-soaked for 5 days and allowed to ferment slowly, over 30 days - 65% in stainless, 35% in new French oak barrels. The wine was aged in 70% new French oak for 16 months prior to bottling.
Growing Season & Harvest:
2015 is the earliest Ad Vivum harvest on record, and was reminiscent of the 1987 season, which was also a couple of weeks early and marked by low yields. While Sleeping Lady escaped the significant shatter that lowered the yield in many Napa vineyards, the clusters were small and the berries were much smaller than usual. We harvested during a brief window between two 100-degree temperature events, when nighttime temperatures dipped down to 50 degrees. Not surprisingly, small clusters and lightweight berries led to an unprecedented level of concentration in the initial juice and resulting wine.
Harvest:
September 25, 2015
Bottling:
July 2017
2,100 bottles (750mL), 24 etched magnums (1.5L), 1 etched Solomon (18L)
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sleeping Lady Vineyard, Napa Valley
Composition:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Clone 191
Single-Vineyard:
Ad Vivum Cabernet Sauvignon is made from one small micro-block of vines at Sleeping Lady Vineyard, in Yountville, Napa Valley. The vines are located at the vineyard’s uppermost western perimeter along the Mayacamas Mountains. Row orientation is southwest-northeast. The vineyard is sustainably and meticulously farmed by the Bettinelli family.
Soil:
The soil profile shows Keefers dark gravelly-sandy clay loam of alluvial origin.
Winemaking:
The fruit was hand-sorted twice: once in the vineyard, and again at the winery, where it was gently de-stemmed. The must was cold-soaked for 6.5 days at 50°F prior to the onset of fermentation. Following 30 days of maceration on the skins, the free-run wine was aged 18 months in 65% new French oak barrels. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Growing Season:
In 2014, the 2nd year of a significant drought, budbreak was slightly early, and moderate temperatures helped preserve moisture. July was cooler than normal, which slowed sugar accumulation, enabling us to harvest at moderate physical ripeness (Brix), yet at what we determined to be ideal phenolic maturity. We picked a week earlier than normal, but several days later than in 2013.
Harvest:
October 8, 2016
Bottling:
June 2016
3,036 bottles, packed in wood boxes (3x750mL), 48 etched magnums (1.5L), 1 etched Solomon (18L)
2013 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sleeping Lady Vineyard, Napa Valley
Composition:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 86% Clone 191, 14% Clone 7
Single-Vineyard:
Ad Vivum Cabernet Sauvignon is made from small micro-blocks of vines at Sleeping Lady Vineyard, in Yountville, Napa Valley. The vines are located at the vineyard’s uppermost western perimeter along the Mayacamas Mountains. Row orientation is southwest-northeast. The vineyard is sustainably and meticulously farmed by the Bettinelli family.
Soil:
The soil profile shows Keefers dark gravelly-sandy clay loam of alluvial origin.
Winemaking:
The fruit was hand-sorted twice: once in the vineyard, and again at the winery, where it was gently de-stemmed. The must was cold-soaked for 5.5 days at 50°F prior to the onset of fermentation. Following 4 weeks of maceration on the skins, the free-run wine was aged 18 months in 65% new French oak barrels. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Growing Season:
Modest early-season and summer temperatures in the first of 3 dry years in Napa Valley culminated with sustained hot weather in late September, leading to the earliest Ad Vivum harvest on record. Phenolic ripeness moved quickly during the last 2 weeks on the vine. Had the harvest been delayed by 24 hours, the fruit would have been overripe, but we were poised to pick quickly when we felt maturity was optimal.
Harvest:
2 October (Clone 191), 4 October (Clone 7)
Bottling:
May 2015
3,072 bottles, packed in wood boxes (3x750mL), 36 etched magnums (1.5L), 1 etched Solomon (18L)
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sleeping Lady Vineyard, Napa Valley
Composition:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Clone 191
Single-Vineyard:
Ad Vivum Cabernet Sauvignon is made from a small block of vines at Sleeping Lady Vineyard, in Yountville, Napa Valley. The vines are located at the vineyard’s uppermost western perimeter along the Mayacamas Mountains. Row orientation is southwest-northeast. The vineyard is sustainably and meticulously farmed by the Bettinelli family.
Soil:
The soil profile shows Keefers dark gravelly-sandy clay loam of alluvial origin.
Winemaking:
The fruit was hand-sorted twice: once in the vineyard, and again at the winery, where it was gently de-stemmed. The must was cold-soaked for 6 days at 50°F prior to the onset of fermentation. Following five weeks of maceration on the skins, the free-run wine was aged 18 months in 60% new French oak barrels. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Growing Season:
Cabernet wines from the 2012 vintage are already drawing comparisons with the classic Napa Valley Cabernets from 2001 and 2007. Rich, opulent tannins, excellent texture, violet-hued garnet color and deep red-black fruits were surprisingly effortless to extract during maceration.
Harvest:
15 October
Bottling:
15 May 2014
3,036 bottles, packed in wood boxes (3x750mL) & 18 etched magnums (1.5L)
Tasting Notes:
The 2012 Ad Vivum is deep garnet red with a trademark Sleeping Lady iridescent violet edge. Aromas call to mind an array of profound fruits: cassis, plum, cherry and black raspberry, along with vanilla and espresso bean. In terms of texture, a slate-like minerality and very finely-grained ripe tannins are in harmony with sweet oak. This wine will certainly drink nicely upon release, but expect it to be able to age gracefully for at least 15 to 20 years in the bottle.
2011 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sleeping Lady Vineyard, Napa Valley
Composition:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Single-Vineyard:
The 2011 Ad Vivum is made 100% from Clone 191 Cabernet Sauvignon in an eight-row micro-block at Sleeping Lady Vineyard, in Yountville, Napa Valley. The vines are located at the vineyard’s uppermost western perimeter along the Mayacamas Mountains. Row orientation is southwest-northeast. The vineyard is sustainably farmed by the Bettinelli family.
Soil:
The soil profile shows Keefers dark gravelly-sandy clay loam of alluvial origin.
Harvest:
19 October 2011
Vintage:
2011 was a very cool vintage that called for prudent, conservative farming. Sleeping Lady is farmed in a rigorous manner that ensures full phenolic ripeness to be achieved, an especially critical factor in 2011. By working closely with our vineyard partner, we were able to ripen our Cabernet prior to the onset of an early wet winter in late October. Between heavy March rains, a cool spring and a warm mid-summer period, the 2011 growing season was not unlike many very successful Bordeaux vintages.
Winemaking:
The fruit was hand-sorted twice: once in the vineyard, and again at the winery, where it was gently de-stemmed. The must was cold-soaked for 6 days at 50°F prior to the onset of fermentation. Following five weeks of maceration on the skins, the free-run wine was aged 18 months in 60% new French oak barrels. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Bottling:
15 May 2013
Production:
3,072 bottles, packed in wood boxes (3x750mL) & 12 etched magnums (1.5L)
Tasting Notes:
2011 Ad Vivum is deep garnet red in appearance, with a trademark iridescent violet edge. The aromas evoke cassis berries and buds, as well as dark black raspberry and graphite. Hints of black cherry, clove and sweet vanilla add complexity. On the palate, a core of ripe, silky tannin is enhanced by sweet, well-integrated oak, as well as lingering flavors of blackberry liqueur and black raspberry. This wine will continue to age gracefully for another 12 to 15 years.
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sleeping Lady Vineyard, Napa Valley
Composition:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Single-Vineyard:
The fruit for 2010 Ad Vivum is exclusively Clone 191 Cabernet Sauvignon from an eight-row micro-block in Sleeping Lady Vineyard, Yountville, Napa Valley. This small block is located at the vineyard’s uppermost western perimeter, against the Mayacamas Range. Row orientation is southwest-northeast. The vineyard is sustainably farmed by the Bettinelli family.
Soil:
Keefers dark gravelly-sandy clay loam, alluvial origin
Harvest:
15 October 2010
Vintage:
2010 was long and cool, which is typically ideal for Cabernet. However, during most of the season, temperatures were either slightly cooler than normal, or in the case of July, hotter than normal. The gifted farmer at Sleeping Lady, Larry Bettinelli, gave extra care to reducing crop load, and paid more attention to soil and vine moisture than many growers, and this attention to detail is evidenced in the superbly ripe tannins that prompted The Wine Advocate to call the 2010 Ad Vivum, “one of the flashiest wines of the vintage”.
Winemaking:
The fruit was hand-sorted in the vineyard and hand-sorted again at the winery where it was gently de-stemmed. The must was cold-soaked for 5.5 days at 50°F prior to inoculation with a selected yeast strain. After four weeks of maceration on the skins, the free-run wine was aged 19 months in French oak barrels, 60% new, and was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Bottling:
15 May 2012173 cases (9-liter) = 2,076 bottles = 692 wood boxes (3x750ml) and (for the first time) 12 etched magnums (1.5L)
Tasting Notes:
The Color is intense blood orange red, with an iridescent purple hue. The Aromas are of freshly-plucked cassis berries, dark black raspberry – in spades! Roasted espresso beans and clove. The Palate is plush, with velvety tannins, and firm enough for aging, yet gentle enough for instant gratification. Fresh, well-integrated oak and a lingering finish of cassis, black raspberry ad infinitum.
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sleeping Lady Vineyard, Napa Valley
Composition:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Single-Vineyard:
The fruit for 2009 Ad Vivum is exclusively Clone 191 from an eight-row micro-block in Sleeping Lady Vineyard, Yountville, Napa Valley. The block is located at the vineyard’s uppermost western perimeter, against the Mayacamas Range. Row orientation is southwest-northeast. The vineyard is sustainably farmed by the Bettinelli family.
Soil:
Well-drained alluvial, gravelly loam.
Harvest:
12 October 2009
Vintage:
Long, relatively cool seasons like 2009 are favored for the slow, even ripening of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Late spring rain, more than an inch in May, provided enough moisture to sustain the vines well into the summer months. Vines were naturally balanced and moderate in production, requiring very little cluster thinning. Veraison was quick and even, and ripening was well-paced. The few heat spikes in July and August were followed by cooling fog, thereby extending maturation. True phenolic ripeness was well-defined, providing unusual clarity in choosing the optimum harvest date.
Winemaking:
The fruit was hand-sorted once in the vineyard and again at the winery, where it was gently de-stemmed. The must was cold-soaked for five days at 50°F prior to inoculation with a selected yeast strain. After four weeks of maceration on the skins, the free run wine was aged 19 months in French oak barrels, 50% new, and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Bottling:
12 May 2011
Production:
2,100 bottles (750ml), packed in 3-bottle wood boxes (175 9-liter cases)
Release:
June 2012
Tasting Notes:
The 2009 Ad Vivum Cabernet Sauvignon is very opaque, with a deep ruby color and purple tinge. Layered aromas include generous cassis, super-ripe raspberry and black licorice, with notes of graphite and anise. These aromas are echoed on the wine’s voluptuous palate. The wine coats the mouth with ripe, silky tannins, and hints of clove and pain grillé from well-integrated French oak follow throughout the long, enticing finish. Sumptuous upon release, yet properly cellared, the wine will continue to evolve gracefully until at least 2025.
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sleeping Lady Vineyard, Napa Valley
Blend:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Single-Vineyard:
Sleeping Lady Vineyard, Yountville, Napa Valley. All fruit was from a dedicated 8-row sub-block at the highest elevation of the western extremity of the vineyard, against the Mayacamas mountains. Clone 191. Row orientation southwest-northeast.
Soil:
Well-drained alluvial, gravelly-loam soil
Harvest:
14 October 2008
Vintage:
A year of extremes. Below-normal rainfall, freezing March and April temperatures that required significant frost protection, and temperatures that spiked to 100°F during bloom, which limited production. A relatively cool summer, some heat in August, and a cool Fall. Overall, a long, cool season, which is always optimum for Napa Cabernets. Small berries, which yielded less juice per berry than normal, produced very good concentration in the must. The yield from our portion of Sleeping Lady was quite low, but acidity was very good, pH low, and the tannins are of a quality associated with long ageability.
Bottling:
1,296 bottles (750ml) were filled 12 May 2010. Release is 400 wood boxes (3x750ml)
Tasting Notes:
Deep, opaque ruby color with a purple hue. An array of very exotic aromas, including black cherry, spicy plum, super-ripe raspberry, anise and a hint of graphite. Very generous on the palate, with black cherry and raspberry yielding to a bit of cinnamon, espresso and a kiss of sweet French oak. Long and silky, with a nice un-derlayment of acidity to support the fruit. The super-fine-grained tannins resolve into a very persistent finish.
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sleeping Lady Vineyard, Napa Valley
Composition:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Single-Vineyard:
“Sleeping Lady” Vineyard, farmed by Bettinelli Family Vineyards. Alluvial gravelly-loam soils. Multiple clones.
Farming:
Responsible and sustainable farming practices. 5.5 ft. between vines, 8 ft. between rows, 990 vines per acre.
Harvest:
5 October 2007
Barrel regime:
19 months in French oak barrels (two-thirds new)
Bottling:
75 cases (900 bottles) were filled 18 May 2009
Vintage:
The 2007 vintage at Sleeping Lady was one of extremes: 60% of normal rainfall over the preceding winter, a very cold January, and a warm spring resulted in small berries and low yields but remarkable concentration.
Tasting Notes:
Dark, purple-hued color. The nose offers crushed, ripe cassis (black currant), crème de cassis liqueur, black cherry, blackberry, and a touch of raspberry. Striking concentration and ripeness. As the wine continues to open, subtle French oak, and gentle sweet, creamy vanilla emerge, then just the barest hint of clove or allspice. It may be hard to differentiate between the aromas, due to the multiple layers present. On the palate, a vibrant, balanced acidity enhances the dark fruit and accentuates the velvety, silky tannins. Grape and oak tannins fuse to give a slight grip to the elegant mouthfeel. The long, lingering aftertaste, evoking cassis, super-ripe raspberry and black cherry, is a trademark characteristic of Sleeping Lady Cabernet Sauvignon at optimum maturity.