Sbragia Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Monte Rosso 2004
Region: Dry Creek
Winery: Sbragia Family Vineyards
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

"Sbragia Family Vineyards is a dream that I've had for some time, a small family-owned winery making limited, individual lots of wine from grapes grown in select blocks of my favorite vineyards. I've always had one foot in Sonoma and the other in Napa. Both areas mean a lot to me emotionally. I'm more attached to Dry Creek because it's where I raised my kids. But the wines I've made at Beringer are like children, so Napa is also a very special place to me. Either way, the wines are intensely personal, an expression not only of terroir, but of my family's winemaking heritage." ? ED SBRAGIA
VINEYARD2004 marks the third vintage of the Monte Rosso Cabernet in the Sbragia Family Vineyards line-up. Thankfully, my good friend Mike Martini has continued to share a couple of blocks with me from his famed Monte Rosso property in Sonoma Valley. Monte Rosso Ranch is a well known grape growing site which looks westward over the entire Sonoma Valley. The vineyard was named by Mike's grandfather, and is aptly named given its mountain top location and bright red soils. Like most mountain vineyards, the vines at Monte Rosso are subject to stress factors that ultimately help shape the flavor of the wine. The high elevation, which ranges from 900- 1,200 feet, features decomposed volcanic rock that is mineral-rich, well-drained and porous, encouraging the 20- to 40-year-old vines to dig deep in search of water.
WINEMAKINGThis particular wine is made the way I think a mountain Cabernet should be made. Picked at optimum ripeness, my son Adam and I fermented the wine in five and ten ton tanks and pumped over three times a day. The wine was ultimately pressed and racked into older French oak to rest for a month before it was transferred to 100% new French Nevers oak where it aged for two years.
WINEMAKER COMMENTSMonte Rosso Vineyard produces wine that is elegant and rich with intense flavors and good acidity. Inky purple in color this wine showcases concentrated mountain Cabernet aromas and flavors of saturated black cherry, plum and black currant with notes of cedar, vanilla, red cassis, mint, carmelized brown sugar, mocha and spice. The wine has the characteristic tannins of a refined mountain Cabernet, yet also has a velvety texture and a juicy finish. I have found that this wine is a perfect match with a barbequed, butterflied leg of lamb. Simple is best? I use olive oil, sage and garlic as a marinade and throw it on the grill with rosemary and balsamic vinegar. Enjoy! ? Ed Sbragia
HARVEST: October 1 & 2, 2004CASE PRODUCTION: 686ALCOHOL: 14.4%

Posted by thewinery on February 26th, 2008 at 2:26pm | report comment