2012 Pott Wine Kaliholmanok Cabernet Sauvignon, 3-bottle Lot

Pott Wine is a small winery on Mount Veeder in Napa Valley. It was started by Aaron Pott and his wife Claire. Pott previously worked under John Kongsgaard and has been a winemaker at Beringer, St. Clement and Quintessa. He also has worked in France and earned an advanced degree in winemaking at the Universite of Bourgogne. He and his wife source their grapes from Napa Valley and produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Bordeaux-style red blends.

Spring Mountain AVA is above the town of St. Helena on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains. There is no actual Spring Mountain, but the name has traditionally been used for the area, which includes many streams and springs. Spring Mountain was awarded appellation status in 1993 and it includes about 1,000 vineyard acres. Vineyard elevations are high, from 400 to 2,600 feet above sea level. Because of the altitude of most vineyards, which are above the fog line, mornings become warm earlier than vineyards on the valley floor, though the afternoons are cooled by maritime winds. The result is an exceptionally long growing season. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most frequently planted grape by acreage, followed by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay.

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.