About Our Wines
2008 Sauvignon Blanc
| Grapes: | 100% Estate Grown 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
| Hand Harvested: | 8/15 |
| Bottled: | April 8, 2009 |
| Average Brix: | 24.5 |
| Average Tonnage/Acre: | 3.5 |
| Barrels: | 80% Neutral French Oak; 20% New French Oak; Barrel fermented |
The 2008 Kenefick Ranch Sauvignon Blanc exudes a rich aromatic profile of fresh Asian pear, Honeydew Melon, and a nuance of Vanilla Bean. The palate enters with crisp citrus notes is well-weighted with a creamy middle, and a soft extended finish of guava and passion fruit. 198 cases produced.
Order our 2008 Sauvignon Blanc...
2006 Merlot
| Grapes: | 100% Estate Grown 100% Merlot |
| Hand Harvested: | 9/14 |
| Bottled: | June 7, 2007 |
| Average Brix: | 27.0 |
| Average Tonnage/Acre: | 3 |
| Barrels: | 60% New French Oak, 40% Neutral French Oak; 18 months in oak prior to bottling |
The 2006 Kenefick Ranch Merlot portrays crushed Maraschino cherry, fine tobacco leaf and vanilla bean in the aromatic complex. Abundant ripe fruit greets you on the entry, and the palate illustrates dark cherry gastrique, ripe berries, settling into integrated hints of oak, smooth tannin and graham cracker on the finish. This is a very approachable Merlot that will drink well now, and can hold up to some extended cellaring.
2005 Merlot
| Grapes: | 100% Estate Grown 79% Merlot 11% Cabernet Sauvignon 10% Cabernet Franc |
| Hand Harvested: | 9/14/2005 |
| Bottled: | May 15, 2007 |
| Average Brix: | 26.5 |
| Average Tonnage/Acre: | 3 |
| Barrels: | 60% New French Oak, 40% Neutral French Oak; 18 months in oak prior to bottling. |
The 2005 Kenefick Ranch Merlot exudes candied black cherry, fine tobacco leaf and anise through a very complex aromatic profile. The entry is bright with ripe cherry. The palate shows cassis, ripe black fruits, and fills out with well-integrated oak and gripping tannins that round off and soften on the finish. This wine can drink well now, and will also cellar longer than typical Merlots. 198 cases produced.
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
| Grapes: | 100% Estate Grown 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, Clone 7 old vines 18% Merlot 4% Petit Verdot 3% Cabernet Franc |
| Hand Harvested: | 9/27-10/7 |
| Bottled: | June 6, 2005 |
| Average Brix: | 27.2 |
| Average Tonnage/Acre: | 2.8 |
| Barrels: | 80% New French Oak; 20% Neutral French Oak; 18 months in oak prior to bottling |
The 2005 Kenefick Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon contains a rich ruby color with characteristics of cassis, black strap molasses, hints of fresh mint, and confectioner’s sugar within the aromatic framework. The palate offers hints of cocoa, candied plums, and ripe berries underlined by spice and copious amounts of soft tannin that finish long. This wine is very approachable in the present, and will drink well through 2020.
Wine Enthusiast Magazine
December 31, 2008
| Review of: | 2005 Kenefick Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $60 |
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94 points 
A Cellar Selection
"With this launch Kenefick enters the high pantheon of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is dry, firmly tannic and classic, with beautifully ripe, fleshy flavors of black currants. The oak is very rich, but entirely in keeping with the volume of fruit. No need to pop the cork anytime soon. Best after 2011." – S.H. (12/31/2008)
The wines that also received a 94 Score in the same issue: Benziger 2005 Tribute (Sonoma Mountain) $80, Emilio’s Terrace 2005 Sophie’s Rows Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville) $120, La Sirena 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) $150 and Robert Mondavi 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) $135.
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
| Grapes: | 100% Estate Grown 87% Cabernet Sauvignon 11% Merlot 1.8% Cabernet Franc .2% Petit Verdot |
| Hand Harvested: | 9/20/2004 |
| Bottled: | June 7, 2006 |
| Average Brix: | 27.0 |
| Average Tonnage/Acre: | 2.8 |
| Barrels: | 100% New French Oak; 18 months in oak prior to bottling |
The 2004 Kenefick Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a combination of our rocky hillside blocks and well-drained alluvial soils closer to the valley floor. These factors combine to yield complex layers of rich texture and a bold presence of ripe fruits. You will notice that the aromatics create a matrix of wild blackberry, licorice, and vanilla bean. The palate provides a strong backbone of plum, dark fruit, ripe tannin, and well-integrated French Oak. This wine will drink now to 2020. 750 cases produced.
Connoisseur’s Guide to California Wine
Volume 33 Issue 2: December 2008
| Review of: | 2004 KENEFICK RANCH Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley |
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93 points, 2 puffs
"Oriented to the kind of high ripeness that adds a dried berry note to what is otherwise a reasonably varietal aroma of black cherries, whiffs of green olives and herbs and a dusting of cocoa powder, this impressive wine is full in weight, supple in initial palatefeel and oriented to sweet oak, berries and red fruits in its deeply cast flavors. It delivers a full measure of drinking pleasure and is a fine successor in both kind and convincing character as the equally big and generous 2003."
Wine Spectator
November 24, 2008
| Review of: | KENEFICK RANCH Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2004 |
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93 points
"Ripe and full-bodied, with penetrating black cherry, currant and black olive, teetering on jammy, sweet and rich. Unfolds to reveal extra flavor nuances of blackberry, hazelnut and spice. Drink now through 2015." – J.L.
Order our 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon ...
2005 Cabernet Franc - Caitlin's Select
| Grapes: | 100% Estate Grown 79% Cabernet Franc 12% Cabernet Sauvignon 7% Merlot 2% Petit Verdot |
| Hand Harvested: | 10/7/2005 |
| Bottled: | May 20, 2007 |
| Average Brix: | 26.5 |
| Average Tonnage/Acre: | 3.0 |
| Barrels: | 60% New French Oak, 40% Neutral French Oak; 18 months in oak prior to bottling. |
The 2005 Kenefick Ranch Cabernet Franc possesses a complex aromatic contour of dark chocolate, Maraschino cherry, fresh raspberries, and a subtle hint of cracked Pink Peppercorns. On the palate, bold notes of Black Cherry and Currants are finely balanced by subtle hints of anise and vanilla bean. The palate finishes strong with a hefty portion of silky, ripe tannin. This wine is ready to drink now, but will continue to develop through 2018. 565 cases produced.
Wine Enthusiast Magazine
December 31, 2008
| Review of: | 2005 Kenefick Ranch Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley |
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93 points
"Cab Franc seldom stars on its own, but this bottling is just terrific. You could stand it beside a great Napa Cab and it will not disappoint. Firmly tannic but approachable, it has rich flavors of oak-inspired cherries, red currants, violets and chocolate. Best now and for the next few years." – S.H. (12/31/2008)
Order our 2005 Cabernet Franc ...
2004 Cabernet Franc - Caitlin's Select
| Grapes: | 100% Estate Grown 84% Cabernet Franc 14% Merlot 2% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Hand Harvested: | 9/15/2004 |
| Bottled: | June 6, 2006 |
| Average Brix: | 27.5 |
| Average Tonnage/Acre: | 2.5 |
| Barrels: | 60% New French Oak, 40% Neutral French Oak; 18 months in oak prior to bottling. |
The 2004 Kenefick Ranch Cabernet Franc shows a deep aromatic profile of spice box complemented by ripe currant and black cherry notes. Underlying hints of baker’s chocolate, toffee, and cherry make up the palate. Ripe, full tannins provide a framework that yields to a velvet-like texture and weight on the palate. This wine is ready to drink now or evolve in a cellar for many years to come.
