2017 Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon

Founded in 1991 by Michael Dragutsky, Cornerstone Cellars is the quintessential Napa Valley mountain and benchland producer of Cabernet Sauvignon. Our winemaking led by Kari Auringer honors Napa Valley’s great heritage by crafting intense, elegant and balanced wines that stand among the very best winegrowing estates in the world. Through intellectual rigor, humility, and with the utmost respect for the land, Cornerstone Cellars aims to make wines that truly speak to its exceptional vineyard sites in the most authentic and genuine way possible.

2017 Vintage

Once the unusually heavy and unpredicted winter rains tapered off a bit in the Spring, we had a slightly delayed budbreak. The abundant rainfall helped refresh our groundwater and nourish the vines were thirsty from several years of drought. Vineyard managers struggled to keep the vigorous vines under control and canopy management was crucial to keep a balance between explosive green growth and fruit. The well-publicized heat spikes in early Fall had little effect as the vineyard managers were prepared for high heat and took precautions. There is no question that the 2017 vintage had some challenges but most of our vineyards were harvested and happily fermenting prior to the heat. While the yields in some vineyards were a little lower than we hoped, the quality is undeniable.

2017 Tasting Notes

A bountiful collection of robust aromas reveals its classic Calistoga character of both red and black fruit with a just a hint of earthiness. Complex, yet integrated the black licorice, anise, brown sugar and spice flavors are wrapped around a silky layer of vanilla. Both elegant and powerful, this Cabernet checks all the boxes delivering ripe summer fruit and dark red berry characteristics. The fine-grained tannins show its age- worthiness, but it is ready to enjoy right now.

2017 Winemaking Notes

Cornerstone Cellars

1465 1st Street

Napa, CA. 94559 Concierge@cornerstonecellars.com 707-945-0388

Vintage: 2017

Appellation: 88% Calistoga, 10% Oakville, 2% Napa Valley

Varietals: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% ME, 0.5% PV

Harvest Date: September 15, 2017

Alcohol: 14.9%

pH: 3.94

TA: 5.4 g/L

Cooperage: 70% New French oak 30% 2-year French oak

Bottling Date: July 10, 2019 

Production: 550 6-pack cases

Note: This small family vineyard is an exquisitely farmed, terraced vineyard on the foothills of the Palisades.