Swanson Vineyards
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
Auction 15 | Lot No. 116
Vintage: 2009
Swanson Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
10 cases produced
Description
Making premium Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, for us, as winemakers, begins with exquisite Napa Valley sites and soils, and ends with this wine, which we believe is a superb example of Napa Valley Cabernet. The 2009 vintage produced many distinct flavors and tannin profiles, as a function of appellation and terroir. This blend is a careful agglomeration of small lots from four distinctly different Napa Valley appellations: Calistoga, Rutherford, Oakville and Yountville, assembled into a unique whole. It represents many hours of work and study, of trial and rejection, and finally, acceptance that we have made the most well-crafted wine possible with the best grapes from our best blocks.
Aging Process
20 months in French oak barrels (2/3 new), 6 months in bottle
Wine Facts
- pH: 3.78
- Wine is unfiltered
- Sustainably produced
Tasting Chart
| bone dry |
|
very sweet |
| light body |
|
very full bodied |
| soft, gentle |
|
very crisp |
| no tannins |
|
heavy tannins |
 |
Chris Phelps
Winemaker, Swanson Vineyards
Founding winemaker, Dominus Estate, 1984-1996; Caymus Vineyards, 1996-2003; and Swanson Vineyards, 2003-present
Country born: United States
Education: Louis M. Martini, 6-month internship, 1980
BS Enology/Fermentation Science, UC Davis, 1981
Advanced enology studies, University of Bordeaux, 1981-1982
Chateau des Laurets, Puisseguin-St. Emilion, internship 1982
Mentors: Michael Martini, Jean-Claude Berrouet, Christian Moueix, Chuck Wagner
Years in the wine industry: 30+ years
Winemaking Philosophy:
My approach is minimalist, with the appropriate use of technology, a reliance upon intution, a respect of terroir, and a team approach with excellent communication between cellar and vineyard
Q&A With the Winemaker
Q: Premiere Napa Valley wines are innovative and allow each winery to showcase the region's sense of exploration in fine winemaking. What kind of exploration did your Premiere Napa Valley wine allow you to do?
A: Between us, at Swanson and Turnbull, we created 48 different lots of Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2009 vintage. Each appellation from which we sourced fruit -Calistoga, Rutherford, Oakville, Yountville - had surprisingly different aroma and flavor signatures. As winemakers, to be tasked with crafting a unique, single-barrel offering is a chance to really think 'outside of the box'. The Rubik's Cube array of infinite combinations for the final blend only made the work more interesting!
Bottlerock LA
1050 South Flower Street
#167
Los Angeles CA 90015
310-393-2888
Premiere Napa Valley Wine Collection
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bennett Lane | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 15 | |
| PEJU | 2009 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | Demeter Block | 15 |
| Round Pond Estate | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 15 | |
| Swanson Vineyards | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 15 |
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