2022 001 Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon Ecotone Vineyard

The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Ecotone Vineyard comes from the old Thorevilos vineyard, a cooler, elevated site on white volcanic tuff above Meadowood in St. Helena. Based on 90.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.4% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot and aged 21 months in 61% new French oak, it offers perfumed red and blue fruits, smoke tobacco, cedar pencil, and touches of chocolate. Medium to full-bodied and beautifully balanced, it has a layered profile, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. This will evolve on a faster track than the 2021 yet still delivers plenty of complexity and depth. Drink 2025-2040. 001 Vintners is the project of Jack Bittner and focuses on the Ecotone Vineyard, formerly known as Thorevilos. Jack took over management of the Ecotone Vineyard when David Abreu and Ric Forman's long-term lease ended, and he quickly brought in Graeme MacDonald to lead the winemaking from this new label. Ecotone is a cooler, elevated vineyard about 400 feet above Meadowood on the eastern side of St. Helena, planted entirely on white volcanic tuff. Home to mature vines now approaching four decades of age, the vineyard is divided between a steep, terraced western-facing block and a flatter upper section. MacDonald consulted Brad Grimes, who had worked with this fruit for many years at Abreu, to help guide the early block selections and vineyard decisions. While production remains limited, I hope the notes for this report give a clear picture of what this site is capable of.