2005 Fairchild Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Fairchild Estate was established in 1999 when Lawrence D. Fairchild and his wife purchased land above Lake Hennessy in the Pritchard Hill area. The first commercial release was a 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon. Fairchild hired Philippe Melka as winemaker, and wine is made from Fairchild’s estate Sigaro Vineyard as well as from other vineyards, including the acclaimed Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard in Rutherford.

St. Helena AVA is at the northern end of Napa Valley just north of Rutherford and south of Calistoga. It is a relatively warm climate thanks to the Mayacamas Mountains on its western edge, which protect it from Pacific Ocean fog. Out of the 9,000 acres in the appellation, some 1,500 are under vine. The principal grapes grown in St. Helena are the Bordeaux grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. St. Helena is considered prime wine producing territory, and it was one of the first important wine producing regions in northern California. The legendary Charles Krug founded his winery just north of the town of St. Helena in 1873, and today the appellation is home to many prestigious producers, including Abreu, Grace Family and Spottswoode.

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.