R&B Cellars

Vineyards:

Bingham Ranch ~ The Bingham Ranch in Calistoga is one of the oldest cabernet vineyards in the Napa Valley, dating back to 1850s. There are three parcels of vines used in our cabernet, one is 55 years old, another is 35 years old and the third is 17 years old. It is a small berry clone with very low yields, approximately one and a half tons per acre. The resulting fruit is very intensely flavored with a rich dark blackberry profile that makes intensely structured cabernet sauvignon.

Cellar Practices and Winemaking:
Perfectly ripe grapes were harvested in late October, 2006. They were crushed into a stainless tank and cold soaked at 50F for 5 days. The temperature was increased to 70F, and cultured yeast fermentation started, which lasted thirty days at a peak temperature of 90F. The grapes were gently pressed; the resulting wine was racked into 100% new French oak (60 gallon) barrels, from ten different French coopers: Vicard, Seguin Moreau, St. Martin, Billon, Trieul, Ermitage, Boutes, Jarnac, Bel Air and Chalufour. The Cabernet was blended in the classical way with small amounts of Merlot added, also from Bingham Ranch. The wine was aged for 28 months in oak and given an additional 18 months of bottle age prior to release.

Winemaker's Comments:
This 2006 R&B Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon continues our cabernet legacy. It is an extraordinary wine with remarkable depth and complexity, exhibiting a huge core of dark black cherry fruit with elements of dark black currant, tea, blackberry and violets in the bouquet. The small addition of Merlot adds to the mouth and bouquet complexity, twith hints of sweet cherries. The flavors of dark black berry, currants, chocolate, and cassis are evident, with a huge juicy blackberry finish. This wine is a classic Cabernet Sauvignon with all of the exotic spice and layers of fruit you would expect from a Reserve wine.