75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot | 320 Cases produced
Vineyard: Somnium Estate (5 feet below Howell Mtn.) and Coombsville
Winemaker: Julien Fayard | Resume Covert Estate, Lafite Rothschild, Smith Haut Lafitte.
Winery: Latin for "dream," founder and former Indy and NASCAR driver Danica Patrick pursued hers by purchasing this property on Howell Mountain in 2009. Aaron Pott was the founding winemaker, and has handed the reins over to current winemaker Julien Fayard, with the certified organic vineyard that is farmed by Pina Vineyard Management.
Production notes: Seamless season marked by optimal hangtimes and exemplary phenolic development. February brought bountiful rains, followed by an abundance of filtered light in spring and early summer. Bud break and flowering occurred slightly later in 2018, but under ideal weather conditions, creating plentiful and even fruit set. Summer virtually uninterrupted by major heat spikes. A relatively mild summer followed by extended fall sunshine and moderate hear created near-ideal conditions for winemakers to allow fruit to accumulate flavor complexity with gradual increases in sugar levels.
In the vineyard, the Somnium Estate sits on the flanks of Howell Mountain at 1,300 feet and faces directly west and southwest, benefitting from maximum sun exposure. The high elevation keeps the estate vineyard, on average, five degrees cooler than the valley floor, resulting in a steady growing seasons. This wine was harvested from blocks 3, 4, 6, and 7 then blended together from one of the oldest Merlot blocks in Coombsville, situated on a rocky hillside with well-drained soil.
Tasting notes: The 2018 Somnium Cabernet Sauvignon is aromatic and fresh with intense blackberry, black currant and blueberry flavors. Cherry fills the mouth, with hints of rosemary, sage and earthy notes on the end palate, followed by a smooth, soft finish.