2015 Premiere Napa Valley Auction Ehlers Estate Block 4 Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

This PNV Ehlers Estate Block 4 Cabernet Sauvignon was made by Ehlers winemaker Kevin Morrisey, who worked at Stags’ Leap Winery before joining Etude Wines as winemaker and director of operations. He later returned to Stags’ Leap as head winemaker before joining Ehlers in 2008. Here are vintage and tasting notes from Morrisey: “Fruit from the top of Block 4, the highest point of our property, supplies the core wine for our 1886 Cabernet Sauvignon. One barrel from Block 4 always shines a little brighter than others and your Premiere Napa Valley wine is from that choice barrel. This full-bodied wine is particularly spicy and complex, with rich, velvety tannins and the structure and balance befitting the best of the Ehlers Lane terroir.”

100% Cabernet Sauvignon