2008 Quivet Cellars Harvest Notes
The Napa Valley 2008 harvest was nothing short of spectacular for Quivet Cellars. Our Napa Valley vineyards, with rocky volcanic soil, cool evening breezes and warm summer rays fascinated us. With each succeeding vintage, new dimensions of the vines and wines are being revealed. The Quivet production varies in proportion from year to year, always eloquently conveying what Mother Nature has up her sleeve. The growing season began dry and continued that way throughout 2008. Rainfall was about 40% below average, temperatures were warm and steady, bringing early bud break & bloom across all varieties. Very few days topped 100 degrees making this growing season close to perfect. A brief heat spell around Labor Day boosted sugars levels and was just what we were looking for to complement acid structure & finish the year. Perfectly ripened fruit and flawless fermentations gave way to wines laced with pure fruit flavors and structure; heady intensity and optimum balance.
Kenefick Ranch Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: $65/bottle
A stones throw from the famed Eisele Vineyard of Araujo, The opportunity to work with this fruit was a 'no brainer'. In 2007 we picked up another block of this famous up valley vineyard. Known to produce wines of huge fruit intensity, we felt it would compliment our younger clone 337 blocks - And that it did! The resulting blend of these blocks soars immediately from the glass. Raspberry and Loganberries intermixed with clove spice and mineral notes greet the nose and then effortlessly glide across the palate to a lingering finish. The deep intensity of this wine comes across somewhat sweet on the palate. Once the wine falls into the finish your senses will be enveloped within this wine. Look for this wine to provide immediate satisfaction in the fall of 2009 but will further come together in the coming years.
Spring Mountain District Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: $65/bottle
True to its roots, our Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon brings huge body, color and structure to the table. Like our previous renditions, this wine starts with an explosion of aromas running the gamut of dark fruits intermixed with spices and earthy mineral like components. This vintage has however added a touch more flamboyancy to our Spring Mountain Cabernet. The mid palate is a rush of super ripe fruit components such as boysenberry and blueberries that seemingly last forever. While this wine carries a sense of elegance, its brooding mountain character comes out to play in the finish. Massive but perfectly polished tannins spread across the palate along with toasty oak, creosote, sugar curried currants and spices. While this wine will give early pleasure with a short decant look for it to age effortlessly for up to a decade.
Las Madres Vineyard Syrah - Hulda Block: $38/bottle
What a vineyard Las Madres has become as it enters is 9th leaf. Once again its cool roots are embedded into the core of this wine. Fluorescent purple hues greet the eye combined with a nose that can be only described as effusive. Violets, orange peel, plums and a meaty undertone on the nose. At first taste, a rush of savory flavors coat the palate and are perfectly framed by ample natural acidity. The finish is loaded with the elements above and is sweetened with just the right amount of oak from one new Remond Allier barrel. This wine is released with 12 months of bottle age, putting it right into the drinking wheelhouse upon receipt. Like previous vintages, look for this wine to age nicely for up to 5 years from release.
