1996 Aura Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 13.5%
Acid/pH: 0.62/3.61
Released: February 1999
Appellation: Napa Valley
Grape Source
Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon (100%) harvested by hand in the early morning hours of September 25, 1996, at an average 24.5º Brix. Our Estate vines produce low yields of grapes with intense flavor. Our individual vine management and smaller vine canopy restricts vegetative growth, producing black, inky grapes. These clusters are slightly elongated and loose promoting a tremendous concentration of flavors.
Vintage
In terms of quality and volume, 1997 has been called “the vintage of the century” for California Cabernet Sauvignon. The growing season was characterized by nearly perfect weather, vine health, grape set and harvest conditions. 1997 Napa Valley Cabernets are distinguished by round, plush tannins and ripe, opulent currant, black cherry and wild berry flavors.
Winemaking
About 20% of the wine was whole-berry fermented. The wine was aged in a combination of new, one- and two-year-old Seguin Moreau and François Frères French oak barrels for one year. The wine was then racked into new Seguin Moreau-Margaux (60%) and François Frères Tronçais (40%) barrels for 12 more months.
Winemaker notes
Continuing a long, rich tradition of producing collectible Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines, William Hill Estate is proud to announce the launch of our new “Aura” label. Aura, as defined by Webster’s dictionary, is a “distinctive atmosphere surrounding a given source.” That source being our own estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The distinctive atmosphere is esprit de corps of our winemaking team.
Our winery and vineyard property, located on the Silverado Bench, was prime shoreline property millions of years ago. The rolling hills were shaped by the constant action of ocean waves and feature vineyards laden with rounded cobblestone rocks and well-drained volcanic soils. The Silverado Bench is a highly suitable spot for growing grapes of exceptional flavors and is destined to become one of the top Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon appellations in the coming millennium.
The 1996 William Hill Estate Aura Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a concentrated black, inky color and intense full-bodied blackberry and cherry fruit flavors. A rich, smoky oak character is imparted by the Seguin Moreau barrels, while the François Frères barrels add a sweet oak texture to the wine. The tannins are well-managed and structured in a manner that will allow more than fifteen years aging.
Food Recommendations
The 1996 William Hill Estate Aura Cabernet Sauvignon is an intensely rich, full-bodied wine that will pair well with a standing rib roast. A succulent leg of lamb braised in a Cabernet Sauvignon reduction sauce will also highlight this estate grown wine.
