# Valravn Cabernet Sauvignon (2018)

- **Producer:** Valravn
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.4%
- **Average price:** €23
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, blackberry, blackcurrant, herbaceous, vanilla, cedar, toast, smoke, leather, tobacco

## About this wine

Valravn is an exciting project under the Valkyrie Selections portfolio, established in 2014 by Baron Ziegler and winemaker Rob Fischer. The name is inspired by Norse mythology's supernatural raven of the slain, symbolizing natural power and mystique. Ziegler and Fischer utilize their extensive personal network of growers in Sonoma County to source high-quality grapes from top vineyards across Rockpile, Moon Mountain, and Sonoma Valley. This micro-négociant model allows them to craft premium, terroir-driven California Cabernet Sauvignon that offers exceptional value, punching far above its weight class.

## Interesting facts

- The name Valravn comes from Norse mythology, referring to a supernatural raven that gains human-like wisdom.
- Winemaker Rob Fischer has worked in the cellars of legendary estates like Domaine Carneros, Donum Estate, and Etude.
- This wine is bottled completely unfined and unfiltered, relying on gravity settling to clarify the wine naturally.

## Food pairing

The high tannins and robust, full-bodied structure of this Cabernet Sauvignon require rich proteins and fats to soften the mouthfeel. Savory, slow-cooked meats and aged cheeses complement the wine's depth, while the medium-plus acidity cuts through the richness of the dishes.

## Wine making process

The grapes are hand-harvested and hand-sorted upon arrival at the winery. The fruit undergoes an extended pre-fermentation cold-soak to optimize color, aroma, and soft phenolic extraction. Primary fermentation is carried out in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged for 18 months in French oak barrels (33% new) from prestigious cooperages including Darnajou, Seguin Moreau, and Saury. Finally, the wine is gravity settled and bottled completely unfined and unfiltered to preserve its natural character and structural integrity.