2013 Saunter Red Head Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

"The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Head Vineyard Clone 685 is another big-time winner for this winery. Stunningly pure black raspberry, blackberry and blueberry fruit, an opaque purple color, full-bodied mouthfeel, but with great elegance, purity and overall harmony make for a sensational wine. It should drink well for 20-25 years. This is another stunning success from a winery I don't know much about. The proprietors names are Heather and Josh Clark. Sadly, production of these wines is relatively limited to 100-125 cases each. The 2013 Red Head Vineyard merits serious attention." ~ 95 points Robert Parker, eRobertParker.com #222

The Red Head Vineyard, owned by Ed and Jan Brown of Charlotte, North Carolina, and named after Jan who is a redhead, is located on Old Soda Springs Road on the Southeast end of the Napa Valley. Once a llama pasture, Ed and Jan bought the property in 2005 with plans to plant a vineyard on the rocky hillside. In 2007, Josh began the development of the 7.5-acre hillside vineyard. The row direction was selected in order to maximize heat collection and minimize sunburn. Crossarms are positioned to allow dappled sunlight to reach the fruit, which also maximizes heat collection and minimizes sunburn. Permanent cover crop is planted to help control springtime moisture and encourage small berries with concentrated fruit. Soil Series is Kidd loam and only about 24” deep and full of small cobble and tumbled round rocks.  The Vineyard elevation is 220-280 feet and the slope is facing the Southwest. 

The 2013 Saunter Red Head Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100% clone 685 grown on 101-14 rootstock. The clone 685 has consistently given us a characteristic essence of blueberries, uniform ripening and great minerality.