Cenay Releases

1999 BLUE TOOTH CABERNET SAUVIGNON So inky blue you'll need your teeth polished! A measure of a great Napa Valley vineyard is the tooth tinting factor of the inky wine it makes. Good, rich color in the wine usually indicates a level of superior concentration, a reflection of the winemaker's extraction of the grapes during fermentation. This extraction not only includes color, but also the individual character of that vineyard - the fruit aroma, flavor and quality of tannin. For Blue Tooth Vineyard, the fruit character is uniquely blueberries with gentle, complex tannins. This all is, of coarse, due to … you guessed it: location, location, location! The Oak Knoll Locale has a westerly aspect that catches a few extra rays of sun to build character. It also offers excellent drainage to concentrate the fruit and a rock base with sandy/gravel topsoil to keep yields low for complexity. Cabernet Sauvignon constitutes the backbone of the wine, with a flavor of ripe black Bing cherries, complexity and richness. Floral notes and blueberries reflect the Merlot, adding elegance and finesse to its sturdy partner. Notes and Stats Yield: Abnormal flowering caused a low 2 tons per acre Vineyard Data: Vertical trellis with de-leafing around the clusters for color and flavor Yeast: 30% Wild yeast, 70% cultivated Bordeaux yeast Time on Skins: 30 days on skins, 100% co-fermentation of varieties Fermentation Type: 48 hr cold soak, 100% Whole berry Cooperage: 50% New oak, 50%% 1-2 year old blend of French oak Cepage: Cabernet Sauvignion 78%, Merlot 22% Clarification: Lightly-fined Vineyard Location: 100% Blue Tooth Vineyard, Oak Knoll Appellation Production: 600 cases Release Date: January 1, 2002     Winemakers Notes: Aromas include intensely ripe blueberries, dark chocolate and white pepper. A deeply colored wine with rich flavors of Bing cherries, ripe currants and plum fruits. The finish has good texture and depth, and the well-integrated complex tannins create a long lingering finish to be enjoyed. Back to Releases page... Also be sure to learn about...