Cabernet Sauvignon (1993)

About this wine

The 1991 Trefethen Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley's Oak Knoll District presents a deep garnet color with purple-tinted edges. On the nose, it offers intense aromas of ripe blackberry and spice. The palate reveals elegant and concentrated plummy flavors, complemented by well-integrated fine tannins. This wine was aged for 24 months in French Nevers oak barrels, contributing to its complexity. The cool growing conditions of the 1991 vintage allowed for extended 'hang time' of the grapes, enhancing the wine's depth and character.

About the grape

Cabernet Sauvignon, a grape known for its thick skins and hardy vines, thrives in the Oak Knoll District's cooler climate, which allows for a longer growing season. This extended ripening period helps develop complex flavors while maintaining balanced acidity. Trefethen Family Vineyards, established in 1968, has been instrumental in revitalizing this area, focusing on estate-grown wines that reflect the unique terroir of Oak Knoll. Their dedication to sustainable practices and meticulous craftsmanship has contributed to the region's reputation for producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon.

Quick facts

• 🍇 The 1991 Trefethen Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted during a cool growing season, allowing the grapes extended 'hang time' for optimal ripeness.
• 🪵 This vintage was aged for 24 months in French Nevers oak barrels, contributing to its deep garnet color and complex flavor profile.
• 🏛️ Trefethen Family Vineyards, established in 1968, restored a historic 19th-century wooden winery, now a National Historic Landmark.
• 🏆 The winery's 1976 Chardonnay was crowned 'Best Chardonnay in the World' at the 1979 Gault Millau Wine Olympics in Paris.
• 🌊 The Oak Knoll District, where Trefethen is located, benefits from a cooler climate due to marine influences, allowing for the cultivation of both cool and warm weather grape varieties.

Palate profile

Producer

Trefethen Family Vineyards began when Eugene and Catherine Trefethen purchased the old Eshcol estate in 1968 and set about restoring the historic winery and planting estate vineyards. The family produced their first commercial vintage in 1973 and early success followed with international recognition for their Chardonnay in the late 1970s. The estate centerpiece is an 1886 wooden three level gravity flow winery that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was carefully repaired after the 2014 Napa earthquake. Now run by later generations of the Trefethen family, the winery is known for estate grown wines, sustainable farming, and its formal gardens and hospitality programs.