The elements of a singular obsession, the pursuit of ascendant wines.
Vineyard.
Plinth Cabernet wine is made from Pritchard Hill’s Houyi Vineyard. The vines’ south facing perch over the fog line sits 1,400 feet above sea level, basking in the maximum amount of daily Napa sun. This goldilocks effect of sun exposure and elevation allows for optimal ripening of the fruit.
Soils.
The vineyard is situated on Napa’s easternmost Vaca Mountains. There, cobbles and boulders nestle among the volcanic Hambright, clay loam soils. The rocky terrain makes for an ideal growing environment by forcing roots to strain far below the surface to seek moisture and nutrients. The vines are rewarded for their struggles with deeply red, mineral rich soils that yield fruit of extraordinary power and concentration.
Vessels.
We select Taransaud’s exceptional, limited T5 barrels because they are crafted from the most stringently selected fine-grain oak from the forest of Tronçais in France’s Allier region. Taransaud’s T5 barrels are made exclusively by master coopers of Meilleur Ouvrier de France class – a prestigious honor signifying the zenith of craftsmanship. The master coopers naturally season the wood in the open air for five years before constructing each barrel. Wines aged in the T5s display greater length, enhanced depth and majestic elegance.