William Hill Estate : Napa Valley

1999 Aura Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape Source

The grapes for the 1999 Aura Cabernet Sauvignon were harvested by hand October 17-30, 1999 at an average of 24.9º Brix. To produce lower, more controlled yields, our viticultural team uses a number of vineyard management practices, including smaller vine canopies that restrict vegetative growth, thereby producing smaller, intensely flavored grapes.

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

After hand selecting the grapes, 20% of the wine was fermented as whole berries to capture the rich, intense flavor of our Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. Aging took place in new François Frères and Seguin Moreau French oak barrels for two years.

Winemaker notes

Each year, beginning with the 1996 vintage, William Hill Estate has produced its Aura Cabernet Sauvignon.  The wine is noted for its elegant fruit and refined tannins, making it a standout among the numerous Napa Valley “collectible” wines.  The name Aura is defined as “distinctive atmosphere surrounding a given source.”  The 1999 Aura showcases our Silverado Bench estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon fruit as well as the considerable skill of our winemaking team.

The 1999 William Hill Estate Aura Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich, full-bodied wine, with concentrated black, inky color and lush blackberry and cassis fruit flavors. Seguin Moreau Margaux barrels offer this wine a rich, smoky oak character, while the François Frères Tronçais barrels lend a sweet oak nuance to the wine. Tannins are ripe and structured, making this a true collectible, with aging potential of more than 15 years.

Food Recommendations

The 1999 William Hill Estate Aura Cabernet Sauvignon is an intensely rich, full-bodied wine that will pair well with most grilled meats, including a slow-cooked, herb encrusted standing rib roast.  This opulent wine is rich and concentrated with blackberry and cherry fruit, while elegantly balanced with layered flavors of smoky oak and vanilla.  It is also suited to a braised lamb shank, baked in a Cabernet Sauvignon reduction sauce.