Sequoia Grove, Cambium, 2017

ABOUT THE WINE. Sequoia Grove is located in the gem of the famed Napa Valley, in what’s known as the Rutherford Bench. The Bench is a very unique geological formation, as it is consisted of a special composition of soils and rocks, and is considered one of the most diverse terroirs in the world. With a mix of alluvial loams, limestone, chalk and red & black volcanic soils, it’s at the prime area for producing wine. As the legendary Napa pioneer André Tchelistcheff quoted, “it takes Rutherford dust to grow great Cabernet.” Founded in 1979, the estate is one of Napa’s cult estates for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.. TASTING NOTES. The most important wine of Sequoia Grove, the Bordeaux blend consists of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Syrah. It is blessed with profoundly intense notes of chocolate-coated cassis, blackberry, dark plum and dark cherry followed by clove, cinnamon, cigar box and black pepper and leather.  The decadent finish lingers on with notes of cedar, truffle and dark chocolate. Aged 18 months in barrel, 2 years in bottle, 65% New French oak, and it was bottled in May 2016.. The 2014 Cambium has just started entering its optimum drinking window, so a bottle to enjoy now or until 2035.. FOOD PAIRING. One to pair with truffle-oil drizzled dry-aged Wagyu beef steaks and rich stews with red wine and hard, mature cheeses.. FRIARWOOD SAYS. The estate barn is blessed to be surrounded by some of the last remaining groves of huge, majestic sequoia trees. It is also known to house Napa’s first underground cellar.