When it comes to exploring the world of Cabernet Sauvignon, there’s no place quite like Napa Valley. With its diverse microclimates and distinctive terroirs, Napa Valley is a paradise for wine enthusiasts seeking the ultimate Cabernet Sauvignon experience. Among the many choices in the region, boutique winery Handwritten Wines stands out with its “Bread and Butter Experience,” a unique tasting that offers an exquisite journey into the world of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Handwritten Wines Bread and Butter Experience
Handwritten Wines, known for its commitment to crafting exceptional Cabernet Sauvignons, offers an exclusive tasting experience that showcases the diversity of this noble grape. The “Bread and Butter Experience” is a side-by-side comparative tasting featuring four Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons. Each of these wines is meticulously sourced from 2-acre blocks in Napa Valley’s hillside and mountain districts, resulting in wines that truly reflect their unique terroirs.
The Bread and Butter Experience includes:
Four Cabernet Sauvignons: You’ll get to savor four distinct Cabernets, each telling a story of its specific origin within Napa Valley. From the cool, windswept hills of Los Carneros to the rugged terrain of Diamond Mountain, the wines on display are a testament to the region’s diversity.
Delectable Pairings: To elevate your tasting experience, Handwritten Wines serves each wine alongside a thoughtfully curated selection of accompaniments. Indulge in the exquisite combination of white truffle potato chips, Bouchon Bakery baguette, three artisan domestic butters, Coppa Salame, and P’tit Basque cheese. These pairings enhance the flavors of the wines, creating a symphony of tastes that you won’t soon forget.
The “Bread and Butter Experience” at Handwritten Wines isn’t just a tasting; it’s an exploration of Napa Valley’s diverse terroirs and a sensory journey into the world of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Napa Valley 2019 Vintage Report: A Season of Promise
Currently, Handwritten Wines is featuring selections from the 2019 vintage. A tasting experience with Handwritten Wines takes you on a journey of through the terroir of each unique appellation they source for their Napa Valley District Cabernet Sauvignons. Before delving into the distinct areas Handwritten Wines sources its Cabernet Sauvignon from, let’s take a moment to appreciate the 2019 Napa Valley vintage. This year provided the perfect conditions for winemakers to produce exceptional fruit. The season began with ample rainfall and late soil moisture, setting the stage for a long, warm summer with minimal extreme heat events. The mild finish to the season preserved freshness and finesse in the fruit, promising an outstanding vintage with bright acidity and ample texture.
Now, let’s explore the distinct areas that Handwritten Wines draws its Cabernet Sauvignon from, and you can begin to daydream about your perfect Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon tasting experience!
Los Carneros AVA
Climate: Cool, with prevailing marine winds from the San Pablo Bay, ensuring moderate temperatures.
Elevation: Sea level to 700 feet.
Soils: Clay-dominated, yielding restrained yields due to shallow, hard claypan soil.
Handwritten 2019 Carneros: Sourced from Truchard Vineyard and aged for 22 months in 80% new French Oak.
Coombsville AVA
Climate: Moderated by its proximity to the San Pablo Bay, offering cooler temperatures during the hot months.
Elevation: 100-1000 feet.
Soils: Primarily weathered volcanic rock and alluvial deposits.
Handwritten 2019 Coombsville: Sourced from Ackerman Vineyard, aged for 22 months in 80% new French Oak.
Yountville AVA
Climate: Moderate, with cool marine influence and fog, leading to comfortable summer temperatures.
Elevation: 20 to 200 feet.
Soils: Gravelly silt loams and gravelly alluvial soils with rock.
Handwritten 2019 Yountville: Sourced from Follett Vineyard, right on the border with Stag’s Leap District, aged for 22 months in 80% new French Oak.
Calistoga AVA
Climate: Warm to hot, with daytime summer temperatures that can exceed 100 F and fall to the low 40s F at night, due to cool afternoon and evening breezes drawn in from the Chalk Hill Gap from the Pacific.
Elevation: 300 to 1200 feet.
Soils: Almost completely of volcanic origin, offering a wide range of soil types.
Handwritten 2019 Cabernet Franc: Sourced from Frank Rad Vineyard in Calistoga, aged for 22 months in 80% French oak.
Mount Veeder AVA
Climate: Cool to moderate, with vineyards above the fog line, allowing for ageable wines with earthy, berry aromas.
Elevation: 500 to 2600 feet.
Soils: Sedimentary-based, well-drained, and acidic soils.
Ageability is a hallmark of Mt. Veeder wines.
Handwritten 2019 ‘Three Words’ Blend: A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Sirah sourced from Derr Vineyard, aged for 22 months in 80% new French oak.
Howell Mountain AVA
Climate: Located above the fog line, warmer and drier than other AVAs.
Elevation: 1400 to 2600 feet.
Soils: Predominately volcanic and infertile.
Handwritten 2019 Howell Mountain: Sourced from Polaris Vineyard, aged for 22 months in 80% new French Oak.
Diamond Mountain AVA
Climate: Moderately warm temperatures with lower maximum temperatures.
Elevation: 400 to 2200 feet.
Soils: Residual uplifted soils of volcanic origin.
Handwritten 2019 Diamond Mountain: Sourced from Ed’s Vineyard 511, aged for 30 months in 90% new French oak.
Best Yountville Tasting Experience
Each of these areas contributes its unique characteristics to the Handwritten Wines, resulting in a diverse array of Cabernet Sauvignons. Whether you prefer the cool elegance of Los Carneros or the warm intensity of Calistoga, if you’re searching for the best tasting experiences in Napa Valley, Handwritten Wines’ “Bread and Butter Experience” is a must-visit. This tasting offers an immersive exploration of Napa Valley’s diverse Cabernet Sauvignon terroirs, making it a top choice for wine enthusiasts.
Handwritten Wines in Yountville not only offers an exceptional tasting experience but also boasts one of the best tasting rooms in the region. Its elegant and inviting atmosphere, along with the picturesque surroundings, creates the perfect setting to savor world-class Cabernet Sauvignons. Be sure to add Handwritten Wines to your list of must-visit tasting rooms in Yountville.
In Napa Valley, it’s not just about wine; it’s about the story, the history, and the craftsmanship. With Handwritten Wines, you’ll experience all of this in a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. Click HERE to book your visit to Handwritten Wines or call (707) 944-8524, or visit handwrittenwines.com.