Forman Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Ric Forman founded Forman Vineyard in 1983 to fulfill a dream of producing, as a sole proprietor, small quantities of classically made Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. After a three-year search of the Napa Valley for the perfect location, Ric purchased, in 1978, the current winery/vineyard site which is perched on a ridge at the base of Howell Mountain overlooking the town of St. Helena.  

A philosophy of winemaking which follows more a traditional approach as opposed to technological appealed to Ric early in his career. A familiarity with European tradition has seriously influenced and informed his style of wines. This is an extremely pretty wine from a classic vintage with warm earthy Cabernet tones reminiscent of Bordeaux. Tobacco and ripe berry jam aromas blend beautifully with a subtle vanilla-smoky oak background. The multi-faceted aromas are echoed in the flavor and are surrounded with a mouth filling richness of ultra-fine and ripe phenolics with a delicious bold finish.

76% Cabernet Sauvignon – 5% Merlot

14% Cabernet Franc – 5% Petit Verdot

Aging: 22 months in 75% new

and 25% two-year-old Bordeaux barrels

Bottled August 23-24, 2017

Alcohol 14.85% 

Consisting of 11 acres, Forman's vineyards are divided into three parcels, each one planted to the four Bordeaux varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. A three-million-year-old riverbed is host to their largest vineyard comprised of gravel/sand deposits. Directly above the winery the steeply sloped plot is composed of more dense and larger volcanic rock, so much so that extensive dynamite explosions were needed for rock shattering to facilitate planting.