Shooting Star Cabernet Sauvignon Lake County 2009

Vineyards

We are always on the lookout for classic varieties planted in ideal locations. Here in Lake County the red volcanic soils, ample sunshine, almost no fog, the 1500 foot plus elevation, and the cool night temperatures, all add up to a wonderful place to grow red grapes. We harvest Cabernet Sauvignon for Shooting Star from two growers: Reed and Sarah Dorn and Al Morehead. The Dorns have the most dramatic vineyard in Lake County. Perched on a hollow on the NW corner of the dormant volcano Mt Konocti you look down 1000 feet to the lake and see a perfect circle in Dorn Bay; an ancient cinder cone. Al’s vineyard is less showy but the soils are great and the vines really struggle and produce some of the best fruit we have ever seen from Lake County.

Winemaking

Cabernet Sauvignon has not been the best red grape for most parts of Lake County, making vineyard site selection a crucial decision. A long season is needed to get the proper sugar development and to help reduce some of the natural herbaceous character. We always blend in a small percentage of Merlot and Cabernet Franc from the Dorn Vineyard. We age this wine in American Oak barrels for 12 months.