Freemark Abbey Sycamore Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

In 1886 Josephine Tychson built and operated the original redwood cellar on the Freemark Abbey estate. She cultivated the land and became the first female winemaker on record in Napa Valley. In 1898, Antonio Forni, a good friend of Josephine’s, purchased the winery and renamed it Lombarda Cellars after his birthplace in Italy. Today Freemark Abbey is owned by the Jess Jackson family of Kendall-Jackson fame. Robert Parker wrote 'Freemark Abbey has hit pay dirt big-time, with plenty of terrific offerings. Winemaker Ted Edwards seems to go from strength to strength and readers looking for top-flight Napa wines need to check out Freemark Abbey immediately.'

1980 was the first vintage of Sycamore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate has been sourcing fruit from this vineyard on the Rutherford Bench every year since. Sycamore Vineyard Rutherford is a 24-acre vineyard located about 1.2 miles south of Bosché Vineyard, right up against the Mayacamas Range. The sloping rich clay loam soils were formed by alluvial deposits. Set against the Mayacamas Range, this cooler-climate vineyard is dry-farmed with stringent biodynamic protocols. This natural, sustainable ecosystem produces mountain fruit berries that are very small and yield intense depth of color and black currant flavor.

The 2015 winter was one of the driest on record for the Napa Valley. The region received 75% of normal precipitation. The relatively dry, warm winter promoted early bud break, and a cool spring supported a long flowering period. The balance of the season was moderate to warm, the crop was light, with small clusters and small concentrated berries, and the fruit ripened about two weeks early on average. A moderate harvest gave way to a warm spell that completed the ripening process a bit early.  The 2015 was barrel aged for 27.5 months.