Ashes & Diamonds Winery, Santa Cruz Mountains (California) 2017

 One of several single vineyard Cabernets from this newcomer based in Napa Valley, this bottling was co-fermented with 25% Cabernet Franc.  Located in the southern tip of the Santa Cruz AVA, Bates Ranch is a steep, dry-farmed vineyard with a long history of its own.  Ashes & Diamond’s winemaker Diana Snowden Seysses fermented with the native yeasts and aged this wine for 19 months in French oak (40% new).  Dark and intense-looking in the glass, its initial aromas suggest Cab Franc with tea leaf and leather, but then the ripe, rich blackberry and cassis fragrances take over. On the palate it is loaded with ripe fruit with layers of dried sage, black tea and a hint of cocoa.  The oak is nicely integrated and the tannins are fine-grained in this plush style.  An ager for sure that should peak in a decade.  250 cases produced.