Pine Ridge Vineyards
The Diplomat
2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain
Auction 20 | Lot No. 0
Vintage: 2015
Pine Ridge Vineyards
The Diplomat
Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain
5 cases produced
Highlights
- Dark and alluring
- Bold and dense
- Chewy with supple tannins
- Deep and complex
Description
Since Pine Ridge was founded in 1978, they have been producing nested-appellation Cabernet Sauvignons in Napa Valley showcasing the unique character of those distinct locales and the Pine Ridge estate vineyards within them. Their nine-acre Las Posadas Vineyard features an elevation of 2,000 feet above sea level and south-east facing plantings. Despite strong afternoon sun, the climate tends to be cooler because of altitude and maintains acidity throughout ripening. The fruit for this Premiere Napa Valley wine was harvested at an optimal level of ripeness in early October. The berries were hand-harvested at night, carefully sorted and de-stemmed to tank, where fermentation took place. Then, the wine was racked to 60% new French oak barrels, where it was aged for 18 months prior to bottling. The wine’s depth lends itself to a 12- to 15-year aging potential. Powerful and alluring, this ruby-black wine boasts an abundant bouquet of ripe black plum and fresh blueberry swirled amongst hints of black olive and dried violet. The lush, velvety palate enters with bold, ripe black cherry, red raspberry and plum fruit supported by plush tannins and notes of vanilla bean and dark cocoa.
Michael Beaulac
Winemaker, Pine Ridge Vineyards
Michael Beaulac joined the Pine Ridge Vineyards team as General Manager and Winemaker in 2009. He has worked with some of the most highly regarded wineries in both Sonoma and Napa Valley, including St. Supery, Markham Vineyards and Murphy-Goode.
"We have 12 vineyards comprising 160 acres across five appellations, and all of the fruit is completely different," Michael says. "I was drawn to Pine Ridge by the interesting challenge of showcasing these differences both by creating individual, appellation-specific wines as well as balanced blends that combine the outstanding qualities of the different vineyards."
In his role, Michael oversees all grape growing and winemaking operations as well as facilities management at the winery. "With the winery's exceptional reputation and collection of estate vineyards, this position is a winemaker's dream. It's a pleasure to work with the seasoned team here to continue to produce classically proportioned wines that are the hallmark of Pine Ridge."
Country born: United States
Education: University of Vermont
University of Southern Maine
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Looking toward his twenty-eighth harvest, Michael subscribes to a philosophy of producing wines of elegance, balance and intensity, which reflect the terroir of where the grapes are grown. He explains, "Our long relationship with the land, our appreciation for the nuanced traits of each vineyard and each variety, is intrinsic to our winemaking at Pine Ridge Vineyards."
Winery Distribution
Pine Ridge Vineyards is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Pine Ridge Vineyards Contact: Abigail Smyth
Domestic:
- Alabama ( International Wines )
- Alaska ( Specialty Imports )
- Arizona ( RNDC )
- Arkansas ( Southern Glazers )
- California ( RNDC )
- Colorado ( Winebow )
- Florida ( RNDC )
- Georgia ( RNDC )
- Hawaii ( RNDC )
- Idaho ( Greg Stein Beverage )
- Idaho ( Moon River )
- Idaho ( Golden Eagle )
- Illinois ( Winebow )
- Iowa ( Johnson Bros )
- Kentucky ( RNDC )
- Louisiana ( RNDC )
- Maine ( Nappi )
- Maine ( Pine State )
- Maryland ( Winebow )
- Massachusetts ( Ruby )
- Minnesota ( Johnson Bros )
- Mississippi ( International Wines )
- Missouri ( Major Brands )
- Montana ( Bronkon )
- Montana ( Fun Beverage )
- Nevada ( Southern Glazers )
- Nevada ( Breakthru )
- New Jersey ( Winebow )
- New Mexico ( Southern Glazers )
- New York ( Winebow )
- North Carolina ( Winebow )
- Oregon ( RNDC )
- Pennsylvania ( The Wine Merchant )
- South Carolina ( RNDC )
- South Dakota ( Johnson Bros )
- Texas ( RNDC )
- Wisconsin ( Johnson Bros )
International:
- Australia ( Boccaccio Cellars )
- Bermuda ( Burrows Lightbourn )
- Canada - Alberta ( Andrew Peller Imports )
- Canada - British Columbia ( Andrew Peller Imports )
- Canada - Manitoba ( Andrew Peller Imports )
- Canada - New Brunswick ( Innovative Beverage )
- Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador ( Innovative Beverage )
- Canada - Nova Scotia ( Innovative Beverage )
- Canada - Ontario ( Andrew Peller Imports )
- Canada - Prince Edward Island ( Innovative Beverage )
- Canada - Quebec ( Societe Roucet )
- Canada - Saskatchewan ( Andrew Peller Imports )
- Caribbean ( Fully represented - importer varies by country )
- China ( California Wine & Co. )
- Denmark ( Vinens Verden )
- Finland ( Hedon )
- France ( South World Wines SAS )
- Germany ( Weinhandel Hans Peter Joeckel )
- Hong Kong ( Via Pacifica )
- Indonesia ( Jaddi Internasional )
- Japan ( Mottox )
- Luxembourg ( AmCellars )
- Mexico ( ECM de Vinos )
- Norway ( Fondberg )
- Poland ( Mielzynski SP.Z.O.O. )
- Puerto Rico ( Plaza Provision Company )
- Singapore ( Pinnacles Wine & Spirits )
- South Korea ( W.S. Trading Co. )
- Sweden ( Johan Lidby )
- Switzerland ( Zweifel Weine )
- Taiwan ( Formosa )
- Thailand ( Scheidegger Trading )
- United Kingdom ( Liberty )
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