Ashes & Diamonds Napa Valley Red Hen No.3 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Ashes & Diamonds Napa Valley Red Hen No.3 Cabernet Sauvignon is a single-vineyard Cabernet from the Oak Knoll District.

The Red Hen vineyard sits at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains, across Highway 29 from the estate vineyard, and was one of Bart and Daphne Araujo's biodynamically farmed sites. Its soil behaves like a sponge: draining gravel and cobblestone suspended in alluvial silt and clay, pulling rainwater down off the mountains so irrigation is barely required, and encouraging fine tannin along the way. Steve Matthiasson found the site in 2003 and learned it had supplied top fruit to the Christian Brothers Winery from the 1950s through the 1970s before being forgotten. Blocks were handpicked, co-fermented on native yeasts in stainless steel over nineteen days, then matured two winters in barrel.

Quiet power is the phrase the grower uses and it fits, with dark fruit, real length and tannins that feel weightless. Diana Snowden-Seysses, who spends half the year as cellarmaster at Dujac, keeps the touch light. Decant, serve at 17 degrees, and reach for beef ribs or a mature cheddar.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.