Rich and concentrated, this wine opens with aromas of black plum, vanilla, brown sugar and cinnamon. On the palate, flavors of black currant, roasted coffee and bittersweet chocolate are wrapped in velvety tannins. Notes of dark chocolate and raspberry jam lead to a long finish.
Built in 1878, St. Clement Vineyards is located in St. Helena and has a long and vibrant history of producing boutique lots of high quality wines. Relationships with top independent Napa Valley winegrowers provide the foundation for St. Clement's wines, which are reflective of the diversity both in the vineyards, as well as of the growers who steward them. Winemaker Danielle Cyrot applies her craft by embracing the best of both traditional and progressive techniques, resulting in a collection of modern, accessible wines that strive for the ideal of quality without pretense.
The first vintage of Oroppas was made in 1991, and over the years it's become a style icon for St. Clement—a rich, opulent Bordeaux-style blend that showcases some of the best fruit in the Napa Valley.
VINTAGE & VINEYARDS
The 2006 growing season started out slowly with higher than average rainfall from January into spring, which provided much needed soil moisture during the growing season. Cool, wet weather in spring contributed to a later than normal bud break, but warm summer months kept harvest on track by gradually advancing fruit maturity and ripeness in the vineyard. The last two weeks of October provided just enough sun to ripen the last few vineyards, and harvest progressed perfectly. Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards on Diamond and Howell Mountains, as well as Mount Veeder, contributed to the blend along with valley floor fruit from Rutherford and St. Helena.
WINEMAKING
Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot were blended in with the Cabernet Sauvignon to enhance the structure and mid-palate weight. Each lot was aged separately in 75% new French oak for nineteen months, and blended together before bottling.
TASTING NOTES
Rich and concentrated, this wine opens with aromas of black plum, vanilla, brown sugar and cinnamon. On the palate, flavors of black currant, roasted coffee and bittersweet chocolate are wrapped in velvety tannins. Notes of dark chocolate and raspberry jam lead to a long finish.
404717S
