2018 William Cole Small Lot Series Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon

William Cole Vineyards was founded in 2002 in St. Helena, in Napa Valley. Located in one of the area’s original 19th century wineries, William Cole is owned and operated by William and Jane Ballentine. William, a fourth-generation Napa Valley vintner, is also the winemaker. William previously worked for Gallo, his father’s Ballentine Vineyards, and St. Clements Vineyards, all of Napa. Their family enterprise is named after their son, Cole, and one of their cuvees is named after their daughter Claire. So far the small producer makes just one cuvee, a Cabernet Sauvignon.

Yountville AVA is just west of Stags Leap and north of Oak Knoll. It is centered around the town of Yountville, named for George Yountville, who planted the area’s first vineyard in 1836. The district received appellation status in 1999 and it includes 4,000 vineyard acres. It is known for tannic Cabernet Sauvignon that has a reputation for aging well. Dominus Estate, formerly Napanook Vineyard, is one of the most prestigious producers in Yountville, and in all of Napa Valley.

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.