2017 Star Lane 'Astral', Star Lane Vineyard

WINEMAKER NOTES: 2017 was an excellent growing season with moderate temperatures and healthy winter rain. However, the vintage will likely be remembered for its heat during harvest, which impacted our coastal vineyards more than Star Lane. The fruit from Star Lane did see more heat than recent vintages and early impressions suggested fruit would be forward. As a result we were careful with how tannin developed in the wine, and used a bit less new oak.

TASTING NOTES: In my time at Str Lane, this may be the most fruit forward and open Cabernet Sauvignon since the 2012. The wine shows the exposure to a warmer ripening season with bright red fruits and a bit more forward than the usual blueberry notes of previous vintages. All of this is achieved without compromising the “Star Lane-ness” cool coastal sage notes that add complexity to the wine. The texture is sneaky: initial softness gives way to ample (but not overwhelming) tannin on the 2nd and 3rd sip.

"The flagship 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Star Lane Vineyard Astral is straight-up pure class and certainly makes the most of the vintage. Black cherries, cassis, lead pencil shavings, and tobacco are just some of the nuances, and it hits the palate with medium to full body, great tannins, and outstanding length." Jeb Dunnuck, 8/26/21 - 95 Points