Winemaker Notes
The vineyards chosen for the 2021 vintage are gravel-heavy sites; the type of soil that produces the most intensely flavored fruit in the appellation. Aromas of chocolate, pipe tobacco, red licorice and toasty oak lead to plush flavors of blueberry, blackberry, mocha and barrel spice. The texture is both weighty and smooth with soft tannins that lend an elegance to this estate grown Cab.
The primary source for the 2021 Herdsman was the Disney Silverado heritage Cabernet Sauvignon clone planted in our Pheasant Farm and Gravel Pit vineyards; the Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah are from the Gemmer vineyard. All were picked separately at night, gently crushed within 30 minutes of harvest, and sent to temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for fermentation. The three estate grown wines were then blended for aging. Roughly half the blend was aged in new 60 hectoliter Foudrerie Francois ovals to slowly integrate the inherent fruit flavors with just a soft touch of oak and barrel spice; the remaining blend was aged in a series of older barrels to add weight and viscosity to the wine without the char. Extended barrel aging (17 months) smoothed out any rough tannins and added elegance to the Herdsman.
Pair this rich and velvety Cabernet with a well-marbled steak, prime rib or pasta Bolognese.