Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (1991)
SommeliAI Insights
A well-aged Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with complex flavors and a lingering finish.
About this wine
The 1993 Trefethen Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley's Oak Knoll District offers a bouquet of blackberry, cassis, and subtle mushroom notes. On the palate, it presents jammy flavors balanced by a hint of oak, resulting in a medium-bodied wine with good fruit intensity that carries through to a complementary finish. This wine is composed of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, aged in oak for 12 months. Remarkably, it has maintained its structure and depth over the years, showcasing the longevity of well-crafted Napa Valley Cabernets. Trefethen's commitment to estate-grown grapes ensures a unique expression of their vineyard's terroir in each bottle.
About the grape
In the 1993 Trefethen Cabernet Sauvignon, the blend consists of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon, known for its thick skins and hardy vines, thrives in Napa Valley's climate, contributing deep color and robust tannins to the wine. Merlot, with its earlier ripening, adds softness and ripe fruit flavors, balancing the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc, a parent grape to Cabernet Sauvignon, imparts aromatic complexity and subtle herbal notes, enhancing the wine's bouquet. This combination showcases the versatility and complementary nature of these varietals in creating a harmonious and age-worthy wine.
Quick facts
- 🍇 Trefethen Family Vineyards, established in 1968, is renowned for its estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, including the 1993 vintage from the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley.
- 🍷 The 1993 Trefethen Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, showcasing the winery's dedication to crafting complex and balanced wines.
- 🌿 The Oak Knoll District, where Trefethen's vineyards are located, is known for its cooler climate, allowing for a longer growing season that contributes to the development of nuanced flavors in the grapes.
- 🏛️ Trefethen's historic winery building, constructed in 1886, is the only surviving 19th-century wooden, gravity-flow winery in Napa Valley, reflecting the family's commitment to preserving winemaking heritage.
- 🍒 The 1993 Trefethen Cabernet Sauvignon has been praised for its balance and complexity, with tasting notes highlighting flavors of red currants, blackberries, and subtle herbal undertones.
Palate profile
Producer
Trefethen Family Vineyards, located in Napa Valley, California, was established in 1968 by Eugene and Catherine Trefethen. They restored the historic Eshcol Winery, originally built in 1886 by Hamden McIntyre, a Scottish sea captain and architect. In 1979, their 1976 Chardonnay was awarded "Best Chardonnay in the World" at the Gault Millau World Wine Olympics in Paris, bringing international acclaim to the winery. Today, the third generation of the Trefethen family continues to produce estate-grown wines, emphasizing sustainable farming practices and preserving the winery's rich heritage.