2018 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, 9L

Beautiful etched bottle

Showcasing the rich and forward characteristics of fruit from the Napa Valley, with the elegance and balance that is the hallmark of Fortunati wines! From the first pour, this wine’s nose delivers fresh and lively combinations of blackberries, crème de cassis, cedar and cooking spice (anise, cinnamon, cracked black pepper). Further aeration allows intricate aromatics of cigar box, cherry liqueur and sweet French oak to bloom with a subtle touch of minerality. On the palate, initial flavors are fruit-forward and opulent; black cherry, red raspberry and summer-ripe plum, underscored with roasted coffee and a touch of rich dark chocolate. Juicy acidity gives substantial lift to the concentrated fruit, while integrated tannins frame the exuberant textures. Through the incredibly long finish, this luscious Cabernet continues to evolve, graceful notes of bittersweet chocolate and a touch of warm spice lightly linger. Enjoy now as the perfect complement to grilled steak, braised meats or wild game, or confidently cellar for another 10-15 years as this wine’s structure allows even more subtle complexity to emerge. 

Why bigger bottles are better-really! (the facts behind aging in large formats)
Besides the inescapable fact that large format bottles have an impact and presence that smaller bottles don't, there have been many studies that conclude larger wine bottles are better suited for aging wines, and possibly even develop more complexity and nuances than the same wine in smaller bottles. If you’re planning on aging a wine for 10, 20, 30 or more years, (such as a bottle put away on the birth of a child to commemorate a graduation, wedding or other anticipated future event) it will most likely age better=taste better if in a large format bottle. This is due to two main factors:

1. The amount of air-to-wine ratio is smaller (proportionally) in larger bottles. Air is not your friend when it comes to aging wine, as it causes oxidation and speeds up flavor development, preventing flavors from attaining their full complexity. Every bottle of wine has a gap of air between the cork and the wine, known as "ullage". The amount of ullage stays about the same regardless of the size of bottle, but obviously the volume of wine is much greater in the larger sizes, thus larger formats have less surface area exposed to the oxidizing affects of air in the bottle. Additionally, corks (which are porous) allow for small amounts of air to move in and out of the bottle. This is further minimized by encasing them in wax (large formats) or foil caps (750mls) but again, the cork-to-wine ratio is much smaller in the larger formats, meaning less air trickling in to affect the contents proportionate to the smaller size bottles.
2. Durability. Larger size bottles don't merely look bigger, they are also thicker, which has a double benefit of both insulating the contents from sudden temperature changes and reducing vibrations. These bottles are meant to last, so all the added durability means you can feel safe storing magnum bottles at home in a cabinet or on a countertop-it doesn't have to go in the wine 'fridge for the next 20 years! Do "lay them down" (store so that the cork remains in contact with the wine to keep the cork moist) keep out of direct sunlight and away from known heat sources (so in a windowsill or over a heater vent are not good locations!)-then enjoy when the time is right!

However, no size bottle and no length of time will make poorly made wine into good wine.  This is why you should start off with a well-made wine, such as those made here at Fortunati Vineyards, that have the tannic structure and firm acidity to stand up to time and age with grace, for a truly revelatory wine experience to enjoy in the future!