La Pistolina 2016 Napa Cabernet

LA PISTOLINA 2016 NAPA CABERNET La Pistolina 2016 Cabernet delivered typical weather conditions for Napa Valley. Spring was absent of frost, heat spells and excess rain. Summer was a steady climate and just the right amount of warmth in September assisted the ripening process. This is the first vintage for La Pistolina, and the bar has been set high. Blend: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot Alcohol: 14.5 % by Vol Aging: 18 months aging in 60 gal. oak barrels, 60% new oak, 40% once used oak, 100% French thin stave barrels pH: 3.35 Case Production: 306 THE LOOK Deep ruby - purple hues THE AROMA Inviting aromas of purple plum and black cherry preserves, vanilla and toasted clove. Slightly muted but also present are black pepper and hints of tobacco and leather notes. LA PISTOLINA TASTE Big bold flavor with a jammy essence of dark fruit, purple plum and black cherry, gently caressed with toasted warm spice, nutmeg vanilla bean and full tannins that lead to a ‘lip-smacking’ finish. THE STORY From as early as I can remember, usually with a glass of wine in his hand, you know the kind that you’d typically drink ice water from, we used to hear our grandfather talk about when he came to the USA from Salviano Italy, a small suburb of Napoli, and talk about how hard it was to assimilate on the streets with the others who arrived before the Italians did. In these stories, he often talked about La Pistolina “The Little Gun” that he found one day rummaging through a dumpster. And although we never heard details about him actually using it, and we didn’t dare ask, we always got the sense that it somehow kept him out of trouble. La Pistolina wine pays homage to him, his stories, and sense of humor.