Checkerboard 2019 “Aurora” Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain Napa Valley

Checkerboard is nestled on the slopes of Diamond Mountain in Napa Valley.  The vineyard is farmed by Ace-Viticulturist Jim Barbour and the wines are “created” by Martha McClellan ( she also makes Levy & McClellan, Sloan, etc.).  The 2019 Aurora Cabernet is a blend of all-estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon (97%) and Petit Verdot (3%).  Jim Barbour’s crew picks the grapes very meticulously, and Martha makes the wine literally berry-by-berry.  The wine is aged for 26- 28 months in new French oak barrels.  The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Aurora offers up a very intense aroma of black stone fruit, with hints of coffee and spice. On the palate, this youngster showcases a-typical Martha bold and lush fruit coated with chocolate and espresso-bean notes and more bold black fruit flavors.  The wine crescendos into a long intense finish with silky-grained tannins.

Winery Notes: “The 2019 vintage of Aurora Vineyard is a wine of finesse and elegance and is characterized by its broad palate that begins at entry and follows through to a stunning and lengthy finish. To create this seamless wine, the vineyard was harvested several times over a two-week period. The fruit was manually selected berry-by-berry and then fermented in both stainless tanks and wood barrels, creating numerous wine lots with subtle but distinct nuances. The 2019 vintage offers classic Aurora aromas and flavors of wild blackberry, cassis, candied cherry, vanilla, cinnamon, and clove. A stunner.”