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Appellation: Napa Valley |
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The 1996 harvest came early and hot. Despite the heat of August, it was essential to wait for thorough, but gentle ripening. The heat seemed to most affect a few of our earlier-ripening blocks, where as much as a third of the already small crop was lost. However, the Cabernet fruit that remained, ripened well and ultimately made some of our best wines. We waited. And we thanked Jerry and Joyce Cain for planting not one but five varieties, because this is a year where each variety counts. This year, the Merlots contribute depth and upfront fleshiness, the Malbec is deep and fruity, the Francs are quite concentrated, while the Verdots surprised us: rich and plush, with tremendous fruit wrapped around the tannins. Overall, the lots used in the 1996 Cain Five are big: the colors are dark, the aromas are fragrant, yet not altogether jammy, and the tannins are firm. |
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Christopher
Howell,
Winemaker/General
Manager |
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