| Over the past few decades, the Napa Valley has | | | | flavors, but also to add complexity. |
| become synonymous with award winning Cabernet | | | | One of the first vintners to use this innovative |
| Sauvignon. Originating from the Bordeaux region in | | | | technique was Inglenook's John Daniel Jr. Daniel Jr. is |
| France, Cabernet Sauvignon is truly wine's | | | | one of the most influential figures in Napa's viticultural |
| ambassador to the world. Now in the annals of wine | | | | history, and is considered by many as the godfather |
| history, this varietal put the Napa Valley on the map | | | | of the Napa Valley Cabernet. Inglenook's 1941 vintage |
| in the 1976 Paris Tasting. | | | | is regarded by many as the best wine ever produced |
| Cab vines makeup the majority of acreage in the | | | | in the Napa Valley. |
| Napa Valley. But the diversity of soil and climate in | | | | It was not until 1976, however, that the Napa Valley |
| Napa County allows for the production of almost | | | | Cab received world wide recognition. Warren |
| every grape varietal. These subtle differences in | | | | Winairski's Stags Leap Wine Cellars 1973 S.L.V. |
| microclimate and geology were the focal point of | | | | Cabernet Sauvignon won top prize at the 1976 Paris |
| splitting Napa County up into different | | | | Tasting. This came as a surprise to everyone; |
| sub-appellations or American Viticulture Areas (AVAs). | | | | Winairski's Cab beat some of the best producers in |
| There are fourteen AVAs in Napa, and each one | | | | Bordeaux. |
| grows a different mix of varietals. For example, the | | | | This upset is now known as the vinous "shot heard |
| coastal marine influence of the San Pablo Bay makes | | | | round the world," and catapulted Stags Leap as well |
| the Carneros AVA perfectly suited for growing Pinot | | | | as the entire Napa Valley. Since this event, the Stags |
| Noir, which thrives in cool, windy areas. Consequently, | | | | Leap AVA has been producing world class Cabs with |
| Carneros' Acacia Winery produces exceptional Pinot | | | | enviable consistency. |
| Noirs, competing with some of the world's best. | | | | The crème de la crème of Stags |
| Napa's best, however, is Cabernet Sauvignon. | | | | Leap also includes Shafer Vineyards. The key to their |
| Because this varietal can grow in a wide array of | | | | success is the rocky hillside that is home to their |
| climates and soils, every AVA in Napa boasts Cab of | | | | vineyard. This rocky soil translates into a small |
| their own. But there is a select set of conditions | | | | quantity of grapes with intense favor and complexity. |
| which makes for world class examples of the grape. | | | | The Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon is |
| These include long, sunny days in warm climates, in | | | | regarded by many to be the best Cab in California, |
| conjunction with porous, well draining soils. | | | | and is the definition of a cult wine. |
| Having perfect growing conditions does not ensure | | | | The Hillside Select is like the White Rhino; you know |
| premium quality fruit. Because they grow easily in | | | | it exists but have never actually seen it. |
| various conditions, Cab vines can give vineyard | | | | Unfortunately, this is characteristic of many of the |
| managers fits with their sometimes wild growth. | | | | most exclusive wines from Napa. A Cab that has |
| Therefore, canopy management is critical to the | | | | received international acclaim and is readily available at |
| ripening of the grapes. Many Napa Valley vineyards | | | | your local grocery store is Mondavi's Opus One. |
| have developed innovative techniques to deal with | | | | Opus One is one of the best wines produced in the |
| this problem, yielding grapes with unmatched flavor | | | | famed Oakville AVA. Due to Oakville's unique soils and |
| and intensity. | | | | warm climate, the Cabernet Sauvignon grape vine |
| It is then in the winemakers hands to turn this tannic | | | | thrives in the AVA. Because of this, the region has |
| berry into the opulent nectar of the gods. Until | | | | attracted some of the best vintners in the world. |
| recently in California, Cabernet production was | | | | There are also several other excellent wineries from |
| primarily a single varietal wine. | | | | Oakville which produce award winning Cabs. Paradigm |
| Because of the high pip to pulp ratio of the Cab | | | | Winery, Rudd Winery and Silver Oak Winery are |
| berry, they can have very high tannin concentrations. | | | | among the industry leaders. |
| The result is that many single varietal Cabs are harsh | | | | Just north of Oakville, you will find another region |
| in their youth. Napa vintners are recognizing this | | | | that is famous for Cab. The Rutherford AVA may be |
| setback and beginning to blend the grape with other | | | | even better known than Oakville, and has surged to |
| Bordeaux varietals to not round out its strong | | | | the forefront of the California Cab industry. |