Terra Valentine proprietor and winemaker Sam Baxter grew up in St. Helena among the grapevines, learning from his legendary winemaker father, Phil, of Charles Krug and Rutherford Hill Winery fame. Sam learned the skill of blending from his dad, and you can taste how he artfully combines varieties and clones from different mountain sites to bring life to every bottle. This Spring Mountain Cab reflects the prolonged ripening of the cool 2018 vintage, resulting in a vibrant, mineral-driven red. According to Wine Advocate, "not many entry-level Napa Cabernets have the stuffing this one does."
Member Rating: 93
Tech Notes
Wine Details
Wine Advocate
James Suckling
| Unit Size | 750.00 ML |
| Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon
|
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petite Sirah |
| Country | United States |
| Appellation | Spring Mountain District |
| Region | Napa Valley
|
| Alcohol Content | 14.90% |
By Terra Valentine
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District
Wine Details
Vineyard Properties: Wurtele, Bales Creek, Gantner
Appellation: Spring Mountain District
Clonal Selections: 7, 4, 337, 169, 341
Yields: 2.5 tons/acre
Harvest Date: October 12, 2018
Harvest Brix: 26.0
Coopers: Nadalie, Orion, Gamba, Trueil
Composition: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, 4% Petite Sirah
Growing Season
2018 was a seamless season of heavenly hang time and phenomenal phenolic development. February saw abundant rains, followed by lots of filtered light in spring and early summer. Both bud break and flowering occurred a bit late, but under ideal weather conditions, creating plentiful, even fruit set. Summer brought generous daytime sun and cooler marine influences, with virtually no major heat spikes. The relatively mild summer, followed by extended fall sunshine and moderate heat, created near-ideal conditions, allowing our fruit to develop flavor complexity and gradually increase in sugar levels.
Winemaking
Hand-harvested, picked at night. Gently de-stemmed and whole berries transferred to stainless steel. Cold-soaked for 48 hours. Inoculated with D254, D80, and D21 yeast and fermented for 18 days on skins. Free-run juice drained from tank, settled for 24 hours, then racked to barrel. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 40% new.
Tasting Notes
Black currant, creme de cassis, black licorice, and purple plum aromas with a touch of tar, pepperwood, and leather, layered with caramel, baking spices, and cocoa. The brambly wild berry fruit is structured and compact on the palate, leading into layers of complex spices and dried sage. The earthy black fruit mingles with cocoa powder on the finish. Drink now with decanting. Will benefit from 5-10 years in the cellar.
[Information provided by Matador Vino]
Wine: 2018 Terra Valentine Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District
Score/Rating: 92+
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2040
Review Date: 05/31/2022
Reviewed By: Joe Czerwinski
Tasting Notes: Terra Valentine's 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District delivers mocha, cedar, dried earth and plum notes. Full-bodied and rich, with a tannic, chewy finish, not many entry-level Napa Cabernets have the stuffing this one does.
Wine: Terra Valentine Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Spring Mountain District 2018
Score/Rating: 91
Review Date: 10/18/2021
Reviewed By: James Suckling
Tasting Notes: Aromas of ripe dark fruit, baking spices and milk chocolate. Some crushed-stone minerality, too. Full-bodied, fresh and juicy with vibrant acidity and an array of chewy tannins. Long, chocolatey finish. Firm at the end. Drinkable now [...].
