Altamura, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, 2019

Overview of the Wine 
Altamura Vineyards and Winery, established in 1985 by Frank and Karen Altamura, is the only winery in Wooden Valley located within the Napa Valley appellation.   Napa natives Frank and Karen have a decidedly hands-on approach to every step of the growing and winemaking process.  Thus, a natural production limit is established at the Altamura Ranch and the wines reflect the Altamura’s deep commitment to reflecting the terroir of Wooden Valley.

Frank Altamura’s lifelong pursuit as a winemaker is fueled by his passion for viticulture. Born and raised in Napa Valley, Frank began working with his cousin, a vineyard manager, right out of high school and knew that this would be his life’s calling. Formal viticultural training began at Sterling Vineyards in 1976 where he began to explore what winemakers were looking for from the vineyard. This concept was further developed from the winemaker’s perspective at Caymus with mentor Charlie Wagner.

“Growing up in Napa Valley and surrounded by farming, my most influential experience came from working at Caymus for five years where we developed many grape varieties from Burger to Zinfandel, refining the concepts of soil and climatic influences and growing for quality rather than quantity,” reminisces Frank. “As we worked to get the most from each vineyard site, I learned that it was important not to have pre-conceived ideas about what to expect from a vineyard, rather to discover the flavors that the vineyard offered. My job now as a winemaker is to successfully get those flavors into the bottle which, incidentally, is only about 10% of the whole process; the other 90% happens in the vineyard.” Over twenty years later, richly textured Altamura Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese are lauded for their intensity and silky integration of the elements unique to each the vineyard sites on the expansive Valley Oak lined ranch in Wooden Valley.​

Frank and Karen Altamura established Altamura Vineyards and Winery in 1985. Many of the early vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon were sourced from a vineyard located on a sprawling 400 acre Altamura Ranch in historic Wooden Valley that had been settled by members of Karen Altamura’s family in 1855. Frank sensed the long-term potential for this growing region and began extensive site selection research within the Napa Valley to ensure optimal vineyard development on the Altamura Ranch. They began their adventure, taming what had once been a cattle ranch by clearing 65 acres and planting to Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese on six different sites. Caves were dug and meticulous construction was begun on the stone winery. Lured by the natural beauty and rural atmosphere, the Altamura Family found their home in Wooden Valley.

Winemaker:  Frank Altamura

Grape / Blend
100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Origin
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Our hillside and valley floor estate vineyards in Wooden Valley are at elevations of 700 to 1000 feet. Soil types on the ranch which are similar to the Rutherford Bench and the mountainous regions of Howell Mountain, Pritchard Hill and Mount Veeder called for several different clones of Cabernet Sauvignon on a number of different rootstocks upon planting in 1986.  The vines are dry-farmed and vertically trellised.​

Fermentation of Altamura Cabernet Sauvignon occurs in both open and closed top fermenters. Certain lots are allowed to macerate on their skins for up to three weeks following fermentation.  This technique produces a wine with softer, more integrated tannins, which carry fruit and oak nuances through to the palate.  The wine is racked into 70% new French oak barrels for a period of 34 months.  The wine is lightly filtered and then bottled.

96 Points - The Wine Independent 
The single-varietal Altamura 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for nearly 3 years in barrel, is deep garnet-purple in color. It opens with earthy/savory notions of tree bark, black truffle, dried herbs, and Indian spices leading to a core of stewed plums, redcurrant jelly, and boysenberries plus nuances of tobacco leaf, dried mint, and fallen leaves. The medium to full-bodied palate is fantastically elegant and refined, with red berry sparks lifting the dense black fruits supported by plush tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long and minerally. This is impressive!

Product size: 750ml