2011 Anomaly Designation Cabernet Sauvignon

Anomaly Vineyards was founded in 1997 by Steve and Linda Goldfarb, a pair of Berkeley residents who decided to quit their law careers to live in Napa Valley. They bought property at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains that came with a couple of small vineyards, to which the couple added a few more parcels. They now own a total of 6.8 vineyards acres planted to Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. They also source grapes from Lewelling Vineyard, one of the valley’s oldest and most renowned. All farming is organic. The debut release was the 1997 vintage. Since 2005 Mark Porembski has been winemaker. Anomaly makes Cabernet Sauvignon-based reds.

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.