Behind the Barrel: A Look at Aging and the Magic of Oak in Winemaking

The 2024 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Due Fontane is a mélange of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 5% Petite Sirah, and 3% Merlot and boasts a brooding deep purple core with a neon purple rim. Aged in 45% new French oak barrels for 15 months. Starting off with a ton of earth and spice notes on the nose, it moves to subtle aromas of crushed blueberries, red currants, cedary herbs, sandalwood, dark chocolate, and dried violet petals. Still very young, with grippy tannins, perfect levels of acidity, and a blackberry and herbaceous finish that sits wonderfully on the back of the palate. 
- Jeremy Young – International Wine Report

The 2023 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Due Fontane is a mélange of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 5% Petite Sirah, and 3% Merlot and boasts a brooding deep purple core with a neon purple rim. Aged in 45% new French oak barrels for 15 months. Starting off with a ton of earth and spice notes on the nose, it moves to subtle aromas of crushed blueberries, red currants, cedary herbs, sandalwood, dark chocolate, and dried violet petals. Still very young, with grippy tannins, perfect levels of acidity, and a blackberry and herbaceous finish that sits wonderfully on the back of the palate. 
- Jeremy Young – International Wine Report

The 2022 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Due Fontane is a mélange of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 5% Petite Sirah, and 3% Merlot and boasts a brooding deep purple core with a neon purple rim. Aged in 45% new French oak barrels for 15 months. Starting off with a ton of earth and spice notes on the nose, it moves to subtle aromas of crushed blueberries, red currants, cedary herbs, sandalwood, dark chocolate, and dried violet petals. Still very young, with grippy tannins, perfect levels of acidity, and a blackberry and herbaceous finish that sits wonderfully on the back of the palate. 
- Jeremy Young – International Wine Report