Rowland Wines

1996 RED TRIANGLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON The French ingredient in Napa Valley! The 1996 Red Triangle Vineyards were warmed during the day by afternoon sun reflecting of the rocks, while cooled at night by fog and cold air rolling north of the San Francisco Bay. If not for these important components, how would one ever combat the 'French Ingredient'? That is the secret ingredient that we all know exists in French wines that we lack??? To capture this exclusive ingredient we must not only have the brilliant fruit of Napa Valley but also develop a multi-dimensional wine. Such a wine would have an intense layering of fruit and spice, with nuances of earth, truffles and violets. This we have achieved and then some! Such a wine we have created. It is unique to Napa Valley let alone its mentor of Pauillac, Bordeaux. Notes and Stats Yield: Removal of fruit at verasion resulted in a low 2.5 ton per acre. Vineyard Location: Coombsville 45%, Atlas Peak 30%, Oak Knoll 25%. Vineyard Data: vertical trellis with deleafing around the clusters for extra color and flavor. Time on Skins: 28 days on skins. Fermentation Type: 48hr cold soak, 100% Whole berry with 100% co-fermentation of varieties. Yeast: 40% wild yeast, 60% cultivated Rhone Valley yeast. Cooperage: 50% New oak, 50% 1-2y.o. blend of French and American oak. Cepage: Cabernet Sauvignion 78%, Cabernet Franc 10%, Merlot 12%. Clarification: lightly fined, unfiltered.   Back to Releases page... Also be sure to learn about...