Led by consulting winemaker Francoise Peschon and winemaker/viticulturist Elizabeth Tangney, this property is one of the special ones. Cornell Vineyards is in the Mayacamas Range just west of the Spring Mountain District. It’s a microcosm of almost absurd geological diversity. Derived from ancient seabeds and volcanoes, the colorful soils are comprised of volcanic rock, sandstone, shale, cobblestone, and loamy clay. This diversity and the rolling terrain led to the identification of 20 distinct blocks, each bearing a different combination of variety, clone, and rootstock. For this outstanding vintage, Elizabeth and her farming team made 29 separate picks with an average of 2.8 tons per acre. Only having your own in-house viticulture team, could you make that specific picks throughout the harvest season. “The 2019 Estate Cabernet embodies the striking refinement of our mountain terroir. The wine opens with aromas of blueberry, rose, candied orange, and pink peppercorn. Multidimensional in every respect, the palate is texturally expansive, with a luxurious profile of bright red plums and plush cocoa woven with fennel flower and sage. True to form, our team has crafted a soaring wine that deftly balances decadence with a classic structure."