2018 Frias Vineyards Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon

Frias Vineyard is owned by a family with roots in Mexico and northern California. Manuel Frias’ parents emigrated from Mexico in the 1960s and Manuel was raised in San Francisco. In 1977 Manuel and his father bought 100 acres in Spring Valley and by 1991 Manuel was making wine commercially. Frias family’s debut vintage was their 1991 Cabernet Sauvignon. Today two of Manuel’s sons are part of the winery team and Todd Heath is winemaker. Along with Cabernet Sauvignon Frias produces a red blend, Sauvignon Blanc and rosé. The limited production wines are generally sold only through the estate’s mailing list.

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.