The Estate Cabernet is a celebration of the vineyard’s diversity and dynamism, the essence of a single year’s character, and the values that guide us.
There are sometimes misconceptions about what the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon blend is. Is it crafted to taste reliably the same every year? Or is it a home for wine that didn't make it into our special single-vineyard bottles? The answer to both is no. Far from a patchwork of "leftovers," this blend is actually one of our most exciting wines.
It's intended to personify the mountain's primary ridgeline and reflect our 100-year vision for farming. Let’s look at what this means through the lens of the 2010 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, our current library release. Now 15 years past its harvest, the 2010 "will give you so much," our winemaker says. If you are tired of wondering whether the potential-filled Cabernets in your collection should age a little longer, this is the wine you’ve been waiting for. “It’s perfectly aged. Enjoy it with a nice meal you’ve cooked, or take it out to a restaurant,” advises Kristina Shideler. “The 2010 Estate is ready to go. Open it up and impress people with it.”
THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING CHANGING
We sourced the fruit from a handful of sites that run up the primary spine of the mountain, crossing a wide variety of soils, mesoclimates, and angles to the sun.
“We have all these blocks to choose from, spanning 400 to 2,400 feet in elevation. In the blending process, we’re creating a harmonious showcase of the best of the mountain that year,” Kristina explains. “Of all the wines we make, the Estate Cabernet is the truest reflection of the mountain working together as a whole—and changing.”
The vineyard and winemaking teams are continuously learning about the property. We are always adjusting something somewhere on the mountain, from grafting to pruning styles to regenerative techniques to planting a promising clone on intriguing soil. And the vines themselves offer different expressions as they mature. As our micro-vineyards evolve, so does the Estate Cabernet.
SOME VINES SHINE IN THE COLD
This wine’s aesthetic is also wrought by the weather. “In 2010, which was cold and beautiful, the higher elevation vineyard blocks were really important because they ripened earlier,” Kristina explains. “Some blocks will shine more in a cold year, others will shine more in a warm year, and the Estate bottling responds to these factors.” Fruit grown higher up offers more minerality and structure, as the 2010 Cabernet beautifully reflects.
CURIOSITY AND RESTRAINT
Stonestreet’s owners, the Jackson family, are long-term thinkers, especially when it comes to land stewardship and grape quality. We operate with a 100-year vision that prioritizes both sustainability and continuous exploration to grow the best fruit possible. To that end, we leave 85% of our 5,300 acres unplanted, not only to protect biodiversity but also to keep our farming well-focused. Learn about our philosophy at stonestreetwines.com/philosophy.
SPICE, SLATE, CHOCOLATE
Even though this wine has achieved integration—with attractive tertiary flavors to discover—the original tasting notes are still remarkably spot-on: Aromatics of dried blackberry leaves, juniper, cardamom, wild red berries, black pepper, and wet slate. The mouthfeel is defined by firm and elegant tannins with a distinct concentration. A dark chocolate finish, with a sagebrush note.
