2015 Provenance Armstrong Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon

Provenance Vineyards focuses on provenance, the French idea that the geographical origin or source of grapes is integral to the character of the wine. Located in the heart of Rutherford, Provenance owns estate vineyards but also sources grapes from such legendary vineyards as Three Palms, Georges III and Wildwood. The estate’s inaugural release was a 1999 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, and it specializes in single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. David Galzignato is winemaker. The estate is owned by Treasury Wine Estate, an Australian enterprise with a portfolio of premium wine estates.

Diamond Mountain District AVA is in the Mayacamas Mountains at the northwestern end of Napa Valley. The appellation is relatively high and the entire district is more than 400 feet above sea level. Some vineyards are as high as 2,200 feet above sea level. Because of their altitude, Diamond Mountain vineyards experience warmer days but colder nights than vineyards on the valley floor. Once volcanic soil, the terrain in the appellation has over time become less fertile, making grape growing particularly challenging. Nevertheless the district has attracted wine producers for more than a century. There are 500 vineyard acres out of a total of 5,000 acres. Among the highly regarded wineries here are Lokoya Winery, Diamond Creek Vineyards and Schramsberg Vineyards. Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are generally firmly structured, rich and quite tannic. Chardonnay is full-bodied with apple and peach aromas and firm acidity.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.