92 Points - Wine Spectator
2009 Duckhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Monitor Ledge Vineyard
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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 Spectator
92
Connoisseurs' Guide
90
Wine Profile
Production Notes
Varietal Content: 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot; Cooperage: 100% French oak Chateau-style barrels (60 gallons); Age of Barrels: 100% new
Winemaker Notes
There is a beautiful balance between depth and brightness with flavors of red briar fruit accented by layers of vanilla and licorice. A rich, creamy mid-palate leads to a satisfying finish, with dusty tannins adding length and dimension.
Production
From our first Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc blocks to our final red-varietal Estate picks, our 2009 harvest spanned more than two months. Though the 2009 growing season presented certain challenges—from early shatter to late-season rain—a thoughtful response in the vineyards yielded smaller-than-normal crops of high-quality fruit. This response included aggressive leafing, an early thinning protocol and a heavy field sort to select only the most desirable grapes.
Other Notes
Released: September 2012
Wine Specs
Wine Specs
Vintage
2009
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
Napa Valley
Vineyard Designation
Monitor Ledge Vineyard
Harvest Date
September 30 – October 23, 2009
Sugar
27.6° Brix
Acid
0.58 g/100ml titratable acidity
pH
3.72
Aging
18 Months in Barrel
Fermentation
10-12 days fermentation at 80°F
Bottling Date
July 2011
Alcohol %
14.5
Wine Spectator
92
Connoisseurs' Guide
90
