A cool spring with rain during the critical period of berry set reduced the yield of Cabernet Sauvignon in this vintage, but warmer than normal temperatures toward the end of summer allowed for optimal ripening and concentration of flavors during a prolonged harvest season. Assembled from wines vinified and aged separately from Bancroft Ranch, Tre Colline vineyard on Howell Mountain and St. Helena Home Vineyard, the blend also includes 3 percent Cabernet Franc from Bancroft Ranch. A mouthfilling wine with bright cherry fruit flavors and Napa Valley Cabernet’s characteristic hint of olives and spice, this Private Reserve is showing very much like the 1986 vintage did at this time in its evolution but is even richer, with more fruit in the foreground.
PR Cab components: 62% Bancroft Ranch, 24% St. Helena Home, 11% Tre Colline, 2% Bancroft Cabernet Franc, 1% Tre Colline Cabernet Franc
- Tobacco, deep, dark syrup, black fruit, ripe cherries, coco, dried herbs and spice
- Nice acid balance and firm tannins
- Lots of blackberry, cherry and cherry cola
- Mushroom at the beginning, then toffee, candy character
Drink or hold comments: Hold
1977
