Auros 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Auros is crafted with hand-selected fruit from a combination of vineyard blocks in four revered Napa Valley sub-appellations: Oak Knoll, Oakville, Rutherford, and Stag’s Leap. Winemaker Megan Schofield of Robert Mondavi Vineyards works her Napa Valley chops on these pirme Valley grapes. Hand-sorted, then briefly cold soaked to enhance the extraction of vivid color from the Cabernet fruit. Following a warm fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the juice was kept in contact with the skins for two weeks to build rich, soft tannins in the wine. Malolactic fermentation further softened the mouthfeel. A final blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the wine was aged in French oak barrels for 18 months, adding rich notes of vanilla and spice to the final blend.

This deeply concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon opens with dark fruit aromas of cassis, blackberry, and dried blueberry, underscored by notes of violet and graphite. The rich, full-bodied palate unveils opulent layers of black currant jam, roasted coffee, tobacco, dried fig, and vanilla bean. Soft, supple tannins frame a plush, velvety finish. Limited!