2016 Sebastiani Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley
93 Points - Robert Parker
Winemaker Notes
The 2016 Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon boasts concentrated
flavors and impeccable structure. Flavors of cherry, plum and
wild berry intermingle seamlessly with graphite and bergamot tea.
The palate’s moderate acidity complements soft, supple tannins on
the lingering finish. - David Nakaji, Winemaker
Composition
86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 3% Malbec
Wine Specs
Vintage
2016
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
Alexander Valley
Acid
6.6 g/L
pH
3.54
Aging
Aged 14 months in French oak barrels, 40% new
Bottling Date
July 2018
Alcohol %
13.5
Robert Parker
93
Production Notes
The fruit was cold-soaked after harvest to build richness and flavor.
2016 was a prime vintage producing high-quality fruit. Overall
the season was earlier than average with temperate weather
allowing for even ripening and balanced flavors. The summer
months were moderately warm with few heat spikes. Overall, the
mild season gave us wines of ample ripeness and great complexity. All of the grapes were fermented warm and had little press wine added
back to avoid any green, astringent flavors. All lots were racked off
the lees and put into French oak barrels (40% new) for 14 months of
aging. The wine was bottled in July 2018.
Vineyard Notes
The majority of the Cabernet Sauvignon came from the Eco
Tereno Vineyard located along the Russian River in northern
Alexander Valley which was planted in 1973. The remainder is
from the Cherryblock Vineyard planted by the late August
Sebastiani in 1961. Both blocks were planted on the traditional
St. George rootstock, favored by California vintners from the late
1880s through the 1970s. It withstood California’s first and second
waves of phylloxera and today is the rootstock found in most of
the state’s oldest plantings.
Production
Only 800 cases produced