State Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Nickel & Nickel was founded by Gil and Beth Nickel with their first vintage in 1997. This winery is located in Oakville, Napa Valley, which was originally a farmhouse built by John C. Sullenger around 1884. The home offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of the settlers who helped create one of the first vineyards in Napa Valley. In the basement of this farmhouse is the 30,000 square foot winery. Each row of barrels represents an entire vintage of each of their wines. Nickel & Nickel is known for their single varietal wines, they select the best vineyards, revealing individual expressions of Cabernet.

State Ranch is located northeast of the town of Yountville. The 22-acre vineyard is divided into two parcels by State Lane and consists of older and younger vines. Many excellent wines are produced in this area, thanks in part to the rocky, loamy soil that has excellent drainage throughout the year. The vines, as well as the grape clusters, are moderate in size and the vineyard receives full sun throughout the day. The grapes are carefully hand-selected and sorted in the winery so that only the best fruit is used. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks with regular pump-overs followed by an 18-day skin maceration. After vinification, the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 16 months (48% new, 52% used). The result is a magnificent Cabernet with aromas of cassis , black berries , candied cherry , blackberry , black plum , licorice , smoky cedar , pepper , black tea and bitter cocoa . The palate is silky, well-structured and supple, with fine-grained tannins that take us to a long and elegant finish.

In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors to California that boosted the California wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in the Sonoma and Napa region. At the start of the 20th century, there were 800 wineries. From 1919 to 1933 Prohibition destroyed the vast majority of the California wine industry so that by 1933, only 140 wineries remained producing wine. It was only from 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition and California was primarily known for the production of fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous estates were created (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc...). In 1976, a significant event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgment of Paris". He sees the greatest French wines opposing the new American wines. This May 24, an unexpected result shakes the world of wine, since to everyone's surprise, it is the United States which wins. However, this competition remains relatively unknown to the general public. Today, there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. Even though California largely monopolizes the reputation of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world and the state of Washington offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon.