2022 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa / Sononma, CA

The Quick ‘n Dirty

Where the power of Napa meets the elegance of Sonoma all in one bottle!

Varietals

85% Cabernet Sauvignon

6% Merlot

5% Petit Verdot

4% Cabernet Franc

Tasting Notes

Classic aromas of blackcurrants, dark cherries, cedar and graphite. The palate is full-bodied with fine tannins and integrated acidity, giving notes of Damson plums, licorice and boysenberries. Well balanced and refined, with a drying finish.

The Nerdy Stuff

Over 2000 feet above the floor of the Napa Valley, our vines receive more light, resulting in tannin and phenolic anti-oxidant levels that are higher than red grapes in the surrounding valleys. This is the main contributor to the broad-shouldered “mountain character” of our red wines. Although we receive more sunshine, the climate is more even than that of the valley floor, allowing for great hang time in the fall. This enables our winemaking team to balance the power, lusciousness, and structure of our fruit with freshness and complexity. Indeed, the aromatic and flavor nuances of our wines could only come from the unique woodland terroir of the ranch.

The wine comprises 36% Sonoma and 64% Napa fruit. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel and then transferred to 100% french oak barrels for maturation. Wine matures for 20 months where 50% of the barrels are new oak.

The Origin Story 

Pride Mountain Vineyards was founded in 1990 by Jim and Carolyn Pride. Today, the winery is owned by the second generation of the Pride family.

The vineyard lies between the Napa-Sonoma county line. For this reason, their wines often carry a Napa-Sonoma designation. Most of the wines are estate, but because we rest in two AVAs, we may not use the “Estate” moniker on our wines. Far from regional blends, Pride wines are emblematic of our mountaintop terroir and unique position both within two counties and also as a place unto ourselves.

Ratings 

95 James Suckling