Description

Tasting notes

The Double Plus Bynoe Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep garnet color, clean mineral and vanilla aromas with touches of cherry berry, black olive; followed by an alluring spice. A silky texture with black currant, cassis, and chocolate on the palate. A long rich finish promises a delightful future. Only 50 cases produced, using 100% new French oak. Cheers!- Tom Rinaldi

Description

Celebated winemaker Tom Rinaldi s career began at Freemark Abbey, and in 1978, he became the founding winemaker at Duckhorn Vineyards for the first 22 vintages. Before DoublePlus Wines, he helped build Pellet Estate, Provenance Vineyards and Hewitt from the ground up. DoublePlus Wines production is small, with only about 1,100 cases produced in total, as everything from vine to bottle is harvested and made by hand. Rinaldi’s 45+ years of Napa Valley wine experience enables him to produce wines that showcase his masterful blend of traditional French techniques with ultra-high premium fruit. “Early in my career, I realized that certain barrels showed the divergence from the norm; both positive and not. I decided long ago to taste each barrel and rate it. Typically marking with chalk, I would chalk a barrel I did not approve of with an “X”-not one I would use in a blend, and fortunately a rarity. A “minus sign” needed additional help, or removal. Others were a “check mark, being normal or average. There were some very nice barrel samples that were delightful, and would get a “+” (plus sign). In the lot were certain rare barrels, exceptional wines that were extraordinary, and I would rate those with “++” “DoublePlus”. I have done this in China, Russia, Washington State, and in Napa Valley. It is my own barrel-rating system.”

Vineyard

Planted in 1999 this vineyard is planted exclusively to Cabernet Sauvignon. The soil is very well drained Bale gravely rock from the alluvial fan of the mountains, and this vineyard produces a tiny crop of berries, highly concentrated in flavor. It is located on the west side of the valley, in the area’s best region, and gently slopes toward Hwy 29 on the valley floor.