VINTAGE NOTES
The
exceptionally early harvest and the fine weather in the fall of
1984 allowed the vines a long period of rest and “leisure”
without the burden of fruit before the dormancy season. This may
explain the extraordinary fruit quality of 1985. After a year of
normal rainfall, spring arrived hard on winter’s heels bringing
the vines to flower early. Cool temperatures throughout the summer
allowed the grapes to ripen in a leisurely way, which allowed richness
and complexity to develop in the berries, which were smaller than
normal. Smaller grapes mean a higher skin to juice ratio and more
concentrated flavors. Acid and pH figures were classical models
for desirable proportions. One of Napa Valley’s greatest vintages.
 WINEMAKING NOTES
"In order to understand the character of a particular vintage, it is
frequently necessary to go backwards in time and understand how
the character of the previous vintage might be an influence. In
reflecting on the 1985 vintage, you will remember that the 1984
harvest was one of the earliest ever. The vines were relieved of
the need to ripen their fruit early in the season and before they,
so to speak, were 'closed down' by very cool nights and typical
fall hints that dormancy was on the way. Thus the vines had what
might be regarded as a period of coasting along, or as I like to
term it, 'leisure' without the burden of the fruit.
"For humans, leisure is a wonderful thing. It is prized by
those who have it and admired by those who wish its possession.
It is different from 'doing nothing' or 'letting go'; it seems to
involve a special state which takes place in those who possess it.
Something like 'leisure' might explain why the 1985 harvest was
so great for the Cabernet Sauvignon from our vineyards.
"I think it was such a time of 'leisure' that allowed the vines
to actually store the treasures of sunshine and energy for their
lives in the year to come. There are few other explanations so satisfying
and so close to describing what we actually observed.
"1985 is the finest vintage we have seen so far for the S.L.V.,
and the CASK 23 is the peak of that peak. If any comparisons to
the other great vintages of this series are to be made, they would
be to the previous distinctive highlight years of 1974 and 1978.
But while 1978 has a full, smooth body as does the 1985 - the 1978
has more weighty flesh, only a shade from the perfection of the
‘richness-without-weight’ goal for which we are striving.
And, whereas the 1974 was forward with the sunshine of the season,
almost heralding abundance and ease, the 1985 has a finer degree
of tension between opulence and restraint. It is more demanding
wine in a sense because its elements are on a higher level of balance
and harmony. I cannot think of anything I would add to its elements
to make it greater. There is nothing I would make less or take away:
enchanting in the aroma - arresting in the complexity of its palate
length and resonant in its finish - a firm texture of strength surrounded
by supple flesh - the 1985 CASK 23 combines the elements in a way
that fulfills to a great degree my winemaking aspirations for Cabernet
Sauvignon."
- Warren Winiarski, 10/89
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