# Village Cabernet Sauvignon (1999)

- **Producer:** Taken From Granite
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €85
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackcurrant, plum, bell pepper, mint, cedar, dried fig, prune, leather, mushroom, tobacco, forest floor

## About this wine

Taken From Granite is a unique project spearheaded by winemaker Gideon Beinstock of Clos Saron. Beinstock originally planted and served as winemaker at Renaissance Vineyard & Winery in California's North Yuba AVA during the 1970s through the 1990s. Decades later, he acquired remaining back-vintage library stock directly from the Renaissance cellars and re-released them under the Taken From Granite label. Grown on steep slopes of decomposed granite, this bottling captures a rare, naturally balanced, low-alcohol expression of fully aged California Cabernet Sauvignon.

## Interesting facts

- Because the wine aged in the estate cellar for decades before re-labeling, the original cork inside still reads 'Renaissance'.
- At just 12.5% ABV, this presents a rare low-alcohol, high-acid profile compared to modern California Cabernets.
- Winemaker Gideon Beinstock acquired these historic back-vintage library stocks directly from his former estate cellars.

## Food pairing

At full maturity, this Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits integrated tannins, vibrant acidity, and evolved earthy tertiary aromas. Dense, savory meats like roast lamb, game, and duck balance the wine's acidity while harmonizing with its complex secondary and tertiary earthy notes.

## Wine making process

The fruit was sourced from the reserve slopes of the Renaissance Vineyard in the Sierra Foothills. Winemaking followed a low-intervention philosophy with minimal additives, allowing the granitic terroir and natural balance of the high-elevation site to show through. The wine aged naturally in the estate's subterranean cellar for over two decades before being re-inspected, labeled, and released under the Taken From Granite brand.