96 Points - Wine Enthusiast
2008 Duckhorn Vineyards Estate Grown Monitor Ledge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Sold Out
Monitor Ledge takes its name from an outcropping in the mountains overlooking the vineyard. The fruit from Monitor Ledge has been an important component of Duckhorn Vineyards wine blends since 1985. Located on the alluvial fan of Selby Creek, the site is composed of cobblestones and a gravelly, sandy loam soil. Because water drains rapidly in the lean soil, the vines struggle to grow, and the resulting fruit has intensity and structure that make the wines from this vineyard unique. With excellent sun exposure, the fruit consistently ripens to ideal maturity. This vineyard is often the first we harvest, bringing us an early indication of the quality of the vintage to come.
Wine Enthusiast
96
Wine Profile
Production Notes
Varietal Content: 96.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.5% Petit Verdot; Cooperage: 100% French oak Chateau-style barrels (60 gallons); Age of Barrels: 100% new
Winemaker Notes
This wine displays all of the lush, concentrated red fruit character that has come to define Cabernet Sauvignon from Monitor Ledge. There is a beautiful balance between depth and brightness, with oak-inspired layers of caramel, chestnut and hazelnut complementing mouthwatering flavors of dark cherry, raspberry, red currant and strawberry. A smooth, creamy mid-palate leads to a finish of fruit and sweet spice that showcases the wine’s length and dimension.
Production
Though the 2008 growing season presented certain challenges—from early frosts to drought conditions—a meticulous approach to viticulture and sorting yielded small crops with good concentration, highlighting soft, appealing tannins for our red varietals and bright acidity for our white grapes. A long, moderately cool summer led to a harvest that commenced in mid-August and concluded in early November. This relatively relaxed pace allowed us to pick in numerous passes to ensure quality, often focusing on individual rows or a single side of the vines.
Other Notes
Released: September 2011
Wine Specs
Wine Specs
Vintage
2008
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
Napa Valley
Vineyard Designation
Monitor Ledge Vineyard
Harvest Date
September 1 - October 17, 2008
Sugar
27.0° Brix
Acid
0.60 g/100ml titratable acidity
pH
3.57
Aging
18 Months in Barrel
Fermentation
10-12 days fermentation at 80°F
Bottling Date
July 2010
Alcohol %
14.5
Wine Enthusiast
96
