Vitesse Vineyards 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
SPECIFICATIONS
100% Cabernet Sauvignon, grown predominantly on the upper, hillside slopes of Spring Mountain in Napa Valley, with additional select lots from premium Napa and Sonoma vineyards.
Alcohol: 14.9%
Residual Sugar: 0.1%
Volatile Acidity: .65 g/L
Titratable Acidity: 6.7g/L
pH: 3.8
Aged 20 months in French oak barrels, 15% new.
Winemaker: Miguel Caratachea
Fewer than 200 cases made
WINEMAKING
The 2022 Vitesse Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is a masterful expression of Napa Valley’s unique terroir, capturing vivid varietal flavors with a depth and purity that is truly captivating.
Aromas of ripe black cherry and pomegranate rise gracefully from the glass, mingling with floral hints of rose petal and subtle undertones of walnut.
On the palate, this wine is both satiny and complex, with fine-grained tannins delivering a smooth mouthfeel that builds toward a long, lingering finish.
VINTAGE 2022
The 2022 growing season in Napa Valley was defined by dramatic weather swings, a prolonged drought, and an early, compact harvest, conditions that produced exceptionally small berries with powerful concentration, especially on the rugged terrain of Spring Mountain.
- Winter: Another year of below-average rainfall kept soils dry heading into the season. Mild winter temperatures encouraged an early start to the growth cycle, though mountain sites retained just enough moisture to support even bud development.
- Spring: Budbreak arrived early and uniformly, followed by a steady but sparse flowering period. Limited water availability and cool nights helped control vigor, setting the stage for naturally low yields.
- Summer: A warm, steady summer on the mountain slopes promoted gradual ripening until a record-setting heat wave in early September accelerated sugar development. Thanks to the elevation and cooler evening temperatures, Spring Mountain fruit in particular maintained structure and acidity while achieving deep phenolic ripeness.
- Harvest: Harvest began earlier than usual, with the first Cabernet Sauvignon clusters brought in at the start of September. The season progressed rapidly, and picking wrapped up by late September, making 2022 one of the most condensed harvests in recent memory. The small berry size and reduced crop load resulted in intensely flavored, color-rich fruit.
2022 Vintage Highlights
The 2022 vintage stands out for its combination of extreme conditions and remarkable fruit purity. The drought-driven low yields produced Cabernet Sauvignon with impressive concentration, firm tannins, and vibrant mountain aromatics. Despite the pressure of a fast-moving harvest, the fruit from our primary mountain site displayed exceptional balance.
For the second time in Vitesse Vineyards’ history, our Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted entirely from this single, noble variety, capturing the bold character, precision, and energy of Napa Valley in 2022.
Price: $75. per bottle
