2017 Gandona, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley - Magnum

Gandona Estate, under the direction of Manuel Pires and his commitment to viticultural stewardship, cultivates Cabernet Sauvignon on Pritchard Hill's elevated, iron-rich volcanic soils, mirroring his ancestral farming practices in the Douro Valley. The estate's steep vineyard blocks, situated 900-1100 feet above Lake Hennessey, inherently foster grapes with profound concentration and a foundational structural integrity. The 2017 growing season, characterized by significant winter rainfall followed by mid-summer warmth, facilitated a balanced and early ripening of the majority of the fruit, well before the October wildfires. This specific vintage thus yields a Cabernet Sauvignon marked by a dense mid-palate, fine-grained, structured tannins, and a precise acidity that embodies both mountain power and understated elegance. The wine is a direct articulation of Pritchard Hill's unique terroir, shaped by meticulous vineyard management through a challenging yet ultimately favorable vintage for early-harvested fruit.