2015 Windfall Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

A timeless wine from the famed Rutherford appellation, our Windfall Vineyard Cabernet is fermented partially in barrel, a labor intensive practice which is only practicable because of the small quantities we produce. Lovingly crafted to John and Nat Komes’ most discriminating specifications, this is a wine to enjoy now and to cellar, to return to again and again as it evolves and deepens.

Vineyard

Owned by the Komes family since 1986, our Windfall Vineyard in the Rutherford appellation of Napa Valley hosts just 2.2 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon on organically-farmed, rocky bale loam soils. The vines are tightly spaced, creating competition for nutrients and lowering their overall production. Tended by hand with copious canopy management and culling to preserve only the finest clusters, Windfall consistently produces low yields of beautifully rich and concentrated Cabernet grapes.

Winemaking

One hundred percent handpicked and sorted, the grapes for this vintage were harvested in one lot and placed in a combination of small stainless steel vessels and French oak barrels for cold soak and fermentation. Barrel fermenting red wines is an unusual practice, partly because it’s so labor intensive. But with small lots such as this it can be achieved, and we love how the oak interacts with the juice, softly and gradually extracting color, flavor and tannin. We also like how the wood and wine tannins start to integrate at this early phase. After fermentation, the free run wine was taken off the lees and returned to barrel where it aged for 21 months. The wine was bottled without fining.

Reviews

92 points
The Wine Advocate
"The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Windfall Vineyard displays a deep garnet-purple color with notes of cassis, tar, coffee and black soil over a core of plum preserves and mincemeat pie. Medium-bodied and chewy in the mouth, it shows decent concentration and expression with a spicy finish."
—Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Rutherford, Napa Valley
Aging: 21 months in French oak barrels
Production: 85 cases