2008 - Solo Cabernet Sauvignon - Foley Food and Wine Society

2008 – Solo Cabernet Sauvignon

In 1968, Harry See planted the Silverado Vineyard to Cabernet Sauvignon. Over the next two decades with careful vine selection and cultivation, the Silverado Clone emerged becoming the only Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon designated as a “Heritage Clone”, by the University of California, Davis. Each year, we honor this select clone designation with SOLO.

APPELLATION: Stags Leap District, Napa Valley

VARIETAL: Cabernet Sauvignon

COOPERAGE: 19 months barrel age
42% new oak. New oak profile: 100% French
Overall oak profile: 100% French

Vintage Notes

The New Year began with storms that brought high winds and heavy rains to the valley, but precipitation soon became scarce and for the second year in a row, Napa Valley received little more than 60 percent of its normal rainfall. Spring was one of the driest on record. Warm spring days resulted in early bud break, and the persistent frigid, dry air during the nights created conditions for the longest frost period in decades. Then within the same week frost threat was at its greatest, a multi-day heat spike sent daytime temperatures into the triple digits just as the vines were beginning to flower and set fruit. After the fruit set, fewer clusters with smaller berries appeared with cooler temperatures, harvest started just a little ahead of normal due to the early vine development in the spring. Harvest was condensed with low crop yields.

Reviews

94 points, Wine Enthusiast, Steve Heimoff, September 2011
94 points, JamesSuckling.com, James Suckling, 2/15/11
94 points, The Tasting Panel, Anthony Dias Blue, December 2011