Matthiasson Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

You'll find abundant fruit on the nose: sweet fruit, blackberry, cranberry, mulberry, cinnamon spice, violets, and an herbal note of tarragon and sage. On the palate there is cherry, cranberry, blackberry, mulberry, pomegranate, lots of licorice, with vanilla, toffee, mocha, and French-roast coffee on the finish. There is a broad but structured palate, with lots of soft tannin cloaking the acidity, and a long intense finish.

The Red Hen Vineyard is on rocky alluvium next to Dry Creek, in the Oak Knoll District. Cool breezes and dry rocky soil combine to create structure and ripe fruits. The Vare Vineyard is also on Dry Creek, in the Oak Knoll District, but on gravelly soils in the mouth of the canyon. The cool air drainage and short fall days as the sun is blocked by the redwoods result in light aromatic wine. The Dos-a-Dos vineyard in St. Helena is hot and dry, ripening quickly, which preserves the dusty and green Cabernet varietal character. The Matthiasson Vineyard is on loamy alluvial soil on the west side of the Oak Knoll District, just south of the Red Hen Vineyard. It is the coolest of the vineyards, receiving morning fog and afternoon sea breezes most summer days.