2008 Moone-Tsai Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

This hugely expressive wine entices with its aromas of tobacco and ripe boysenberry. 22 months of aging in 80% new French oak augments the wine's density and substantive, yet finely grained tannins, while richly layered flavors of red berries, coffee and black cherry coat the mouth throughout the lengthy finish. This is an outgoing, powerful wine.

Much of this Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from a vineyard in Coombsville, an area of southeast Napa Valley where soils are characterized by a unique blend of red volcanic soils and clay. The vineyard is planted on a gently sloping plateau, and the comparatively temperate climate of the area, versus the warmer territory up valley, serves to lengthen the growing season. The grapes are allowed to achieve full physiological ripeness without the pressure of heat extremes common in warmer areas, and low vigor soils throughout the vineyard create small, dense clusters. The resulting wine is opulent and expressive.