Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon (1985)

About this wine

The 1985 Sequoia Grove Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley presents a deep ruby color, indicative of its age and quality. On the nose, it offers aromas of black cherries, cassis, and subtle notes of cigar smoke, complemented by hints of dark soil and a touch of coconut from the American oak aging. The palate is full-bodied and complex, showcasing flavors of ripe blackcurrant and dark cherry, with a refined structure and balanced acidity. The finish is long and smooth, with lingering tannins that suggest the wine still has life ahead of it. This vintage reflects the excellent growing conditions of 1985 in Napa Valley, contributing to its depth and longevity.

About the grape

Cabernet Sauvignon, a grape variety that emerged in 17th-century France from a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, is renowned for its thick skins and resilience, making it well-suited to diverse climates. In Napa Valley, particularly in Rutherford, the grape thrives due to the region's ideal climate and gravelly-loam soils, which impart distinct flavors to Bordeaux varieties. Sequoia Grove Winery, established in 1979 in Rutherford, has focused on producing balanced and complex Cabernet Sauvignon wines, sourcing grapes from their estate vineyards and select sites across Napa Valley. The 1985 vintage was notable for its excellent growing conditions, resulting in well-structured wines with fine tannins and balanced acidity.

Quick facts

• 🍇 The 1985 Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted during an exceptional vintage for Napa Valley, known for its ideal growing conditions that produced wines with remarkable depth and longevity.
• 🏞️ Sequoia Grove Winery, established in 1979, is nestled in Rutherford, a prestigious sub-region of Napa Valley renowned for producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
• 🏆 The 1985 vintage of Sequoia Grove's Cabernet Sauvignon received a 92-point rating from Wine Spectator, highlighting its elegance and rich flavors of black currant, vanilla, and cherry.
• 🪵 This wine was aged in oak barrels, a process that imparts additional complexity and subtle notes of spice and vanilla, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
• 🍷 Cabernet Sauvignon, the grape variety used in this wine, is celebrated for its thick skins and small berries, contributing to the wine's deep color, robust tannins, and aging potential.

Palate profile

Producer

Sequoia Grove Winery, established in 1979 by James and Barbara Allen, is situated in Rutherford, Napa Valley, California. The winery is renowned for its commitment to crafting elegant, balanced wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region. Notably, the winery's tasting room is housed in a restored 100-year-old barn, nestled beneath a grove of majestic Sequoia trees planted in 1908, which inspired the winery's name. In 2002, the Kopf family acquired Sequoia Grove, continuing its legacy and further investing in vineyard expansion and sustainable practices.