Benchmark Wines by

Forman Vineyard

The Winery

Forman Vineyard

Based in St. Helena, California, Forman Vineyards is an estate known for its Cabernet Sauvignon made by Ric Forman. Having previously worked at Sterling and Newton Vineyards, Forman began his own label in 1983 and now owns three vineyards. Although his winemaking philosophy follows more of a traditional approach, Ric is an advocate for the terroir in which he gets his grapes from.

The eight-acre Clos Vineyard below the winery has the deepest soil with granite and sand deposits, while the 20-acre block above the winery has more dense and rocky volcanic soil. Even further up the mountain in the Rutherford AVA, the third block has more pink gravel with ancient ash, and all of the soil types contribute to the complexity of the principal wine in the portfolio, Forman Vineyard Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. The wonderfully situated vineyards combined with his deliberate intervention make his wines a personal testament to producing quality wines from the Napa Valley.

www.formanvineyard.com

View all wines by Forman Vineyard

Tasting Notes

WA94
The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot aged 24 months in three-fourths new French oak, it tips the scales at 14.8%, which by Ric Forman’s standards seems somewhat higher than usual. This delicious, savory, elegant wine is restrained and understated, but authoritative, which is what he does so well. It is the result of forty-plus years of winemaking experience, probably matched today only by Sonoma’s Dick Arrowood. It has a youthful, dense ruby/purple color, beautiful texture and purity, with nothing out of place. It is a seamless, medium to full-bodied Napa Cabernet Sauvignon that represents the best synthesis of ripe Napa fruit, with a French touch of finesse and elegance. This wine has at least another 10-15 years of aging potential, as it is very long, and the wine is impressive, lovingly textured and rich. Drink it over the next 15-20 years.

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