Nickel & Nickel Vaca Vista Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
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Wilfred
Wong
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Vaca Vista Vineyard sits upon the valley floor in the Oak Knoll District and is the debut Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard in the appellation, set against a scenic backdrop of the Vaca Mountains to the east. The vineyard's well-drained, gravelly soils and moderate climate provide even ripening, resulting in this structured and polished Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2019 Nickel & Nickel Vaca Vista Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is packed and well-textured on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers aromas and flavors of black fruit, licorice, and oak. Enjoy its richness with grilled lamb kebabs. (Tasted: December 12, 2021, San Francisco, CA)
Other Vintages
2018-
Wine
Spectator -
Wilfred
Wong
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Wilfred
Wong -
Wine
Spectator
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
As one of Napa’s coolest sub-appellations, the area begs for diversity among its vineyards. Merlot and Chardonnay firmly compete with Cabernet Sauvignon for a place here. Some of Napa’s best Zinfandels also come from the Oak Knoll District.
Situated far in Napa’s southern end, Oak Knoll receives a strong cooling influence from both the San Pablo Bay and the Pacific Coast’s evening fog and breezes. Summer days are warm but on average ten degrees cooler than in St. Helena farther north up the valley; summer nights are chilly. A long growing season promotes for leisurely ripening of grape berries, resulting in an impressive balance of sugars, phenols and acidity.
Notable producers include Trefethen, one of the appellation’s oldest wineries, Robert Biale, legendary Zinfandel producer and Lewis Cellars, a family-run, hands-on establishment.