The exposure provided by high elevation, slopes and extreme drainage combined with fundamental vineyard practices produced exceptional grapes for us in the 2011 vintage. Air movement was key, and by augmenting Mother Nature’s own with creative farming, we were able to let this crop hang to perfect ripeness. Our 2011 “Purple Label” Napa Valley Cabernet is 100% varietal in composition, yet it is a blend of ridge-top Atlas Peak fruit and the stony Calistoga vineyard where the high rocks there create thermals, drawing warming air through the vine rows, working the magic of ripening. Fully ripe black cherry and black currant aromas are nuanced with suggestions of cedar and camphor. The palate is full and even with a rich middle that is perfectly balanced by natural grape acidity and silky fine tannins. This vintage is delicious in its youth but will continue to deliver with many years of proper bottle aging.