2016 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley
93 Points - Robert Parker
Winemaker Notes
Our 2016 Gravel Bed Cabernet Sauvignon is dark crimson in color
with fragrant notes of black currant, dark cherry, tobacco leaf and
espresso. Expressive flavors of black cherry, interlaced with graphite and
bergamot tea dominate the palate. Additional flavors of Herbs de
Provence and cola are met with moderate acidity, smooth tannins and a
long, satisfying finish. Enjoy after 1 hour of decanting, or cellar for years to come.
Composition
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Specs
Vintage
2016
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
Alexander Valley
Acid
6.5 g/L
pH
3.64
Aging
14 months in 41% new French oak
Bottling Date
July 2018
Alcohol %
14.9
Robert Parker
93
Wine & Spirits
91
Production Notes
After harvest, we cold soaked a number of the lots to maximize color
and flavor extraction. All of the grapes were fermented warm and the
light press portion was also incorporated and added more tannin and
richness.
e wine was aged in French oak barrels with 41% New Saury
and DJ French oak and the remainder in one-year-old French oak
barrels. After 14 months of aging, it was then bottled in July 2018.
Vineyard Notes
2016 produced exceptional quality fruit in Alexander Valley. Warm
temperatures in late winter and early spring pushed bud break ahead of
schedule. A little unsettled weather during berry set led to some reduced
yields, but overall we came in at the low end of average.
e summer
months were moderately warm with few heat spikes. Overall, the mild
season gave us wines of ample ripeness and great complexity. We
harvested our Gravel Bed Cabernet Sauvignon on October 16, 2016.
