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Cave Dog Napa Valley Red Wine 2018

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Top winemakers will put aside ego and trust nature's direction to craft their wine. In 2018, when his vines yielded equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot, Michael Havens made the blend for his Cave Dog Red an even split, co-fermenting the grapes and forgoing the control gained in the cellar by vinifying separately. This approach results in a complex, full-bodied red with ample black and blue fruit notes, soft tannins, creamy texture, and a satisfying finish. Steak kabobs off the grill will pair effortlessly with this Napa beauty, so order a few while they're still on sale for over 60% off!

Member Rating: 91

Tech Notes Wine Details
Unit Size750.00 ML
VarietalRed Blend
Vintage2018
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Franc
CountryUnited States
AppellationNapa Valley
RegionNorth Coast
Alcohol Content13.90%
By Cave Dog
2018 Napa Valley Red Wine

Region
Our 2018 Cave Dog Red comes from the mature vines at Beau Terroir Vineyard, which sits on a hillside in southwestern Napa Valley, otherwise known as Upper Carneros. These are the vines that gave us Bourriquot for so many years.

Vintage
Interestingly, as in our last vintage, the vines gave us 50% each Merlot and Cabernet Franc, a remarkable consistency. And while we have the unmistakable spice and dry brush notes of Cabernet Franc, there is a plush fruitiness from the Merlot that shows how much the vines liked the cooler year and more abundant winter rains that allowed them to ripen slowly until October 9. Because both varieties were able to ripen at the same time, they were co-fermented, encouraging early integration.

Winemaker's Notes
And though we once again bottled this wine at a modest 13.90% alcohol, the richness from the Merlot makes this a more immediately enticing wine to drink than just about any vintage so far of Cave Dog Red. In this, it reminds me of the 2004 wines I made, the last of three increasingly warm years. Those wines are in full stride now, nowhere near slowing down the pace. This is definitely a vintage to enjoy sooner than others, but it has framing tannins to keep it developing for many years.

Wine Details
Varieties: 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Beau Terroir Vineyard, Blocks D and F
Harvest: October 9, 2018
Aging: 20 months in 225-liter French oak, 33% new (Orion and Boutes GR)
Bottled: July 2020
Alcohol: 13.90%
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