2012 Stratus Cabernet Sauvignon

Vibrant deep purple in the glass, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon offers a layered bouquet of ripe blackberries and dark chocolate, complemented by notes of sweet tobacco and spicy sandalwood. The palate is structured and powerful, showcasing fleshy black fruit framed by ripe, fine-grained tannins, leading to a long, sustained finish marked by persistent dark fruit character.

The winter of 2012 was warmer and drier than usual, leading to an early start to vine development. An exceptionally warm March was followed by cooler temperatures and frost in April; however, the vineyard buds had not yet emerged, sparing the crop from damage. Bud break occurred approximately 16 days earlier than average, extending the growing season. Above-average summer temperatures and a notably dry July further advanced ripening, and the overall hot, dry conditions produced what was, at the time, Stratus’s finest growing season to date, yielding flawless fruit and an outstanding lineup of wines.