Black Stallion North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (California)

Description

Oak, Raspberry, Spice

"This is the second vintage of Black Stallion wines following its inaugural debut in 2022 and it comes from vines grown in the cool coastal climates of Mendocino and Sonoma, along with vines from the windswept hills of Suisun Valley, east of San Pablo Bay, and volcanic mountainsides further north. All of which combine to make a smooth, intensely dark fruit-scented Cabernet with blackcurrant aromas, dark fleshed plum flavours, a whiff of mocha here and a touch of smoked cedar there, all nicely intermingling in an impressive dry full bodied wine. It drinks beautifully now and has the structure - weight, dry tannins and a balance of acidity - to last for six to seven years, potentially longer" Joelle Thomson

The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon is the inaugural vintage of Black Stallion Wines coming from the North Coast – a prestigious appellation on the California coast that continues our signature profile of slightly softer, and approachable Cabernet Sauvignon. This rich and refined wine does not require years of further aging to achieve ideal balance and can be enjoyed upon release. The wine opens with stunning aromas of raspberry, blackberry, and toasty notes of cedar; the palate carries bold, velvety flavors of dark cherry, juicy plum and a hint of baking spice. Intense, concentrated fruit and round tannins with brightly balanced acidity extends to an elegant finish with the right amount of grip.

Located on the historic Silverado Trail in Napa Valley’s Oak Knoll District, Black Stallion Estate Winery pays homage to the rich history of the 32-acre estate which was once home to the Silverado Equestrian Center. The property was purchased in 2010 by the Indelicato family, a fourth generation family-owned company founded in 1924. Sourcing from the most prestigious vineyards, the winery is committed to making only the most expressive wines.

The fruit used to craft this 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon showcases a remarkable range of terroirs, from the cool coastal climates of Mendocino and Sonoma to the windswept hills of Suisun Valley, east of San Pablo Bay, and the volcanic mountainsides further north. This Cabernet expertly balances the bright, wild berry character and refreshing mountain air with the rich, ripe fruit intensity that lies at the heart of wine country.

The 2023 growing season saw a remarkably mild start, with budbreak commencing in March, robust shoot growth, and the promise of average crop yields ahead of version in mid-July. The summer weather provided an ideal environment for grape maturity. Despite occasional heat spikes, proactive vineyard management successfully mitigated negative impacts. Fast forward to September and October, as California witnessed a run of beautiful weather and perfect ripening conditions for Harvest. This trend continued into early to mid-November, as we picked the last of the Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards to finish the marathon of Harvest., resulting in truely exceptional wines throughout the north coast. Slowly maturing tannins evolved into inky dark color and bold tannins that make this cab a California classic vintage.

Picking decisions were determined by winemakers after multiple vineyard visits during ripening. Individual vineyards and blocks were kept separate during fermentations to focus unique site characteristics. Fermentations were tasted daily with adjustments to pump-over timing to optimize gentle extraction of aromatics and color, while rounding and developing tannins. Grapes were pressed off skins based on tannin expression, within a few days of dryness, keeping press fractions separate when desired for wine texture. Lots were aged on oak and racked 2-3 times prior to final blend and bottling. The lots in the blend were specifically selected for dark fruit and ripe character, and rounded yet firm tannin, indicative of the mountains that run through the center of California’s north coast.