William Hill Estate : Napa Valley

1999 Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape Source

This Reserve wine is a blend of benchland and mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon (92%), Merlot (5%) and Petit Verdot (3%) from the Napa Valley.  The grapes  were harvested between October 14 and October 30, 1999, at an average 24.6º Brix.

Vintage

The 1999 growing season in Napa Valley was one of the windiest and latest on record. Warmer temperatures did not arrive until September and early October, quickly boosting grape sugar levels and causing winemakers to scramble to find enough tank space to handle the crush of red and white wines simultaneously. While tonnage was slightly down, fruit quality was very high.

Winemaking

Twenty percent of the wine was whole-berry fermented. Aging took place in a combination of new and one-year-old French oak barrels for 24 months.

Winemaker notes

Our Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied, fruit driven wine with generous oak spice notes.  The vines from our estate on Silverado Bench, with its rolling terrain and rocky soils, produce tiny berries in long, loose clusters that possess intense, rich flavor.

The 1999 William Hill Estate Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a complex wine with rich, lush fruit flavors and round, plush tannins. Notes of cedar, vanilla and cassis complement aromas and flavors of dark berry fruit. The mouthfeel is smooth and silky and the rich fruit and spice flavors carry through to the long lingering finish. This is a big, rich Cabernet to enjoy now or continue to age for the next ten to fifteen years.

Food Recommendations

This fruit-forward wine pairs beautifully with roasted meats, rich stews or tomato based sauces. Try it with dishes such as grilled lamb chops served over a bed of creamy polenta and sautéed greens, bacon wrapped filet mignon with truffle infused mashed potatoes, or a thick, rich three-cheese lasagna.