Sometimes in life, you just get lucky.  For V. Sattui Winery and many other Napa Valley wineries, 2012 is a truly exceptional vintage.

“We knew in early spring we were looking at a very good vintage,” says Brooks Painter, Head of Winemaking for V. Sattui Winery.  “As the season progressed, with phenomenal weather that allowed fruit to ripen evenly and completely, we realized that we were actually experiencing one of those ‘perfect’ vintages—long and cool, and with the best fruit we’ve seen in a long time.”

Wine writer Robert Parker agrees that both the 2012 and 2013 vintages from Napa Valley are special.

“The biggest problem in Napa Valley (unlike Bordeaux or other areas where Cabernet Sauvignon is grown) is that Napa can have very damaging and stressful heat spikes well over 100 degrees F that can last from three days to as long as a week,” says Parker. “The negative results can cause grapes to raisin, threatening dehydration and inflicting stress on the delicate health of the vines. This never occurred in 2012 or in 2013. Grapes, much like people, mature and flourish under ideal conditions, and both vintages provided that.”

We have just released three of our five 2012 single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons.  In general, they are wines with well-structured tannins, rich concentration, and developed aromatics that define the vintage. Most of the fruit was picked at ideal ripeness before rain fell in late October, making coordination of the avalanche of grapes arriving in the winery one of the greatest challenges of the harvest.  It is a great vintage from both a growing and volume perspective; we had fantastic yields of some fantastic wines. This is truly a classic vintage.

2012 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine was named “Wine of the Year” – and “Best Cabernet” in the Monterey International Wine Competition earlier this year.

From Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online:  “V. Sattui’s 2012 Mount Veeder Cabernet is a classic Napa Valley mountain red, a rich, powerful Cabernet Sauvignon with broad shoulders and impressive dimension. This vintage shows rich black fruits, chewy tannins and a generous dollop of oak that matches the heft of the wine. A panel of advanced and master sommeliers at the 7th annual Sommelier Challenge International Wine Competition loved it and awarded it Platinum and a score of 94 points.”

2012 Preston Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
A Platinum Award winner and Best of Class Cabernet Sauvignon at the 2015 Sommelier Challenge International Wine Competition.

From Rich Cook, Wine Review Online:  “The juggernaut that is V. Sattui Winery continues to roll out spectacular Cabernet Sauvignon from this vineyard.  The nose is extremely deep and complex, with solid varietal character, firm tannic structure, lively acidity and a long finish that is currently emphasizing elegant red fruit and spice. This deserves five to ten years additional bottle aging to bring out all of its charms, though they are already many.”

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Vittorio’s Vineyard
Platinum award winner at the 2015 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition

From Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online: “With soft, supple tannins and a juicy blackberry and blueberry core, this is a delightful Cabernet Sauvignon that can be enjoyed now while you wait for some of the more muscular Napa Valley Cabs from this outstanding vintage.

2012  Morisoli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
A Platinum Award winner at the 2015 Sommelier Challenge International Wine Competition

From Rich Cook, Wine Review Online:  “A favorite vineyard source of mine, and thankfully, also a favorite of some great winemakers.  Brooks Painter and his crew always bring out all that Morisoli has to offer, and in this vintage it’s lively raspberry fruit, joined perfectly by pie spice, mild dried herbs, cedar and cigar.  It’s got a big structured backbone that begs further aging while providing great delight at present.  Decant, or go long?  You win either way. “