# Pine Ridge Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (2023)

- **Producer:** Pine Ridge Vineyards
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Malbec, Petit Verdot
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 15.5%
- **Average price:** €65
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blueberry, blackberry, cherry, liquorice, blackcurrant, chocolate, cloves, cedar, vanilla

## About this wine

Pine Ridge Vineyards was founded in 1978 by Gary Andrus in the heart of Napa Valley's Stags Leap District. Over decades of careful stewardship, the estate expanded its presence across five premier sub-appellations, maintaining a commitment to environmentally conscious viticulture. Today, the winery is certified Napa Green Sustainable. The 2023 vintage stood out for its unusually cool extended growing season, resulting in long hang times and balanced phenolic ripeness across all estate sites.

## Interesting facts

- Founded in 1978 in the famous Stags Leap District of Napa Valley.
- The 2023 vintage featured an extraordinarily cool growing season with extended vine hang time.
- Certified Napa Green Sustainable, practicing environmentally conscious farming from soil to glass.

## Food pairing

The high alcohol, full body, and structural tannin profile demand robust proteins and rich, savory dishes. Fat and protein bind to the tannins, creating a smoother palate feel, while dark fruit glazes complement the wine's natural fruit intensity.

## Wine making process

Grapes were hand-harvested at night between late September and early November at cool temperatures to preserve natural acidity. After hand-sorting and destemming, the grapes underwent a cold soak followed by high-temperature fermentation designed to extract structured tannins and deep color. The wine aged for 18 months in oak barrels consisting of 35% new French oak, 15% new American oak, and 50% neutral French oak prior to bottling.