2009 Cain 'Five' Red Blend (375mL)

Aromas of dried cherry, fig, cedar, and crushed tobacco lead into a savory, medium-to-full-bodied palate. Flavors of dark plum and dried cassis mesh with notes of forest floor, menthol, leather, and dried thyme. The texture is resolved and supple, supported by fine-grained, fully integrated tannins and a long, earthy finish.

The blend is composed of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot. Hand-harvested fruit undergoes fermentation using native yeasts. Co-founders Chris Howell and Ruben Arias age the wine for 20 months in French oak barrels (roughly half new) followed by extended aging in bottle prior to commercial release.

Grapes are sourced entirely from the estate vineyard situated high on Spring Mountain in the Napa Valley AVA. The vineyard sits on steep hillside terraces between 1,400 and 2,100 feet in elevation, planted in well-draining soils derived from weathered sandstone and shale. The high altitude keeps the vines above the fog line, exposing the fruit to consistent sunshine during the day and cool mountain air at night to preserve natural acidity and structural balance.