BY WINEMAKER FREDRIK JOHANSSON

The 2009 season might be remembered as a mellow, easy, almost perfect year that avoided any extremity. A relatively mild, slightly dry winter was followed by heavier late winter/early spring rains than has been normal recently, allowing us to minimize irrigation and balance vine stress. Small heat waves and rainstorms in May and June caused some shatter, naturally limiting yields and allowing the vines to focus their ripening energy on the clusters that remained. The absence of the usual late-August heat wave allowed the grapes to continue ripening evenly without undue pressure or stress, developing ripe and mature flavors without excessive sugar accumulation right on through a brilliant September and early October, allowing us to harvest most of our fruit prior to rains that fell later in the month.

The 2009 Staglin fills the glass with a brooding swirl of rich, dark fruits, resinous herbs and rain dampened loam illuminated by polished hints of sweet baking spices, aromatic woods and exotic liqueurs. A juicy and inviting entry builds to a generous, balanced yet lively mid-palate that slides towards a graceful and fine-grained finish of well developed and classy tannins. Complex and beautiful now, this wine will generously reward sufficient decanting and additional time in bottle.

Release Date: October 1, 2012
Harvest Dates: September 25- October 18, 2009
Barrel Aging: 21 months
Oak: 100% French: 94% new, 6% used
Blend: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Alcohol: 14.9%

Yohan Jousselin MS, Decanter, February 2012
Listed first of this reviewer's "My Top Three" wines in "Napa & Sonoma Cabernet 2009"
Staglin Family Vineyard Estate, Rutherford, Napa Valley: 95 points
"A lovely subtle Cabernet with firm tannins, a generous ripeness and great acidity. The wine offers a very intense nose with notes of ripe black fruits followed by a touch of cedar wood, tobacco and a hint of eucalyptus which bring a touch of freshness. Drink 2014-2030."

Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate, December 2012
2009 Staglin Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon: 95 points
"The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is bursting with primal energy. Sweet floral notes meld into juicy red berries, spice box and cedar, all of which are laced together with remarkable elegance. Silky tannins add to an impression of refinement and total finesse. In 2009, Staglin’s Cabernet Sauvignon impresses for its superb delineation and nuance. The 2009 can be enjoyed with minimum cellaring if given a few hours in decanter. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029."