Without a doubt, Cain Cuvée is our most original creation. Like Cain Concept and Cain Five, it is a Cabernet blend, but of the three wines, it is our most creative endeavor. Unlike Cain Five and Cain Concept, which are both about place, Cain Cuvée is about Cain and our vision of what classical red wine can be. Especially with Cuvée, we have the opportunity to create a Cabernet blend that is truly silky and that sits lightly and refreshingly on the palate.

Of our three Cabernet blends, the Cuvée uses the most Merlot—lately, more than 40%—which creates the plush, supple base. Mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc lend aromatic complexity and a bit of edginess to the taste so that the wine will dance on your palate. Also original to the Cuvée is the use of a portion of the previous vintage. This gives complexity and polish to the finish. Year after year, the same vineyard blocks go into the blend—in some cases, from the same vines that we have harvested since 1994 and, in many cases, from vines harvested for more than ten years.

Cain Cuvée is an original and interesting blend of varieties, vineyards, and vintages. Also, the winemaking is specifically designed to achieve the supple style of the Cuvée. Key lots of grapes are vinified differently, with less extraction and shorter maceration times—often, no press wine is used. Once the blend is made, the theme continues with a gentler, more “Burgundian” regime in barrels, with less frequent racking.
Christopher Howell, Cain Vineyard Winemaker