Resolution Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018

For winemaker Caitlin Lhommeau, turning exquisitely farmed Cabernet grapes into opulent, delectable wines was not always the career she imagined for herself. Instead, stethoscopes and surgical knives were the tools she felt would bring her success. Fortunately for all of us who appreciate fine wine, fate stepped in in the form of the 100-point-man himself, winemaker Russell Bevan. As an ACME Kahuna member, you are likely familiar with his name and his propensity for crafting hedonistic, luxury Cabernet Sauvignon. One of Napa Valley's top consulting winemakers, Russell is not only responsible for keeping our cups full of undeniably pleasing red wine, but he also is an emphatic mentor to the next generation of winemaking talent. And that is just how Resolution Wines came to be.

Caitlin chose the name Resolution Wines to honor a wine's ability to resolve seemingly dissonant ideas and to create harmony. Plus, it's got a personal meaning as well; winemaking was the serendipitous resolution to the direction life would take her. During one fateful gap year after undergraduate studies, while awaiting the results of nearly a dozen medical school applications, Caitlin took a job as a cellar intern here in the Napa Valley. After a successful and transformative harvest, Caitlin was asked an all-important question by her fearless leader: "Why would you become a doctor if you could make wine?". What started as a part-time, seasonal gig back in 2016, quickly lead to full-time employment with the brand-new Russell Bevan-lead Tench Vineyards in Oakville. Caitlin became immersed in the world of premium winemaking. Working closely with Russell and his team, Caitlin participated in all aspects of production from grape to bottle. She eventually ascended to the Director of Winemaking for Tench Vineyards, still working closely with Russell, but now with the resources to start a small side-project of her own. In 2018, with a single ton of Cabernet Sauvignon from an undisclosed vineyard location on the eastern side of Oakville, Resolution Wines began. With complete and focused control over every aspect of winemaking for the inaugural release of Resolution Cabernet Sauvignon, Caitlin has delivered nothing short of excellence. She has executed every step of production. Caring for the grapes from fermentation through to the finished wine thereafter; completing every punchdown, digging out the tank after fermentation, loading the press, filling barrels, topping the barrels monthly, racking the wine for blending before bottling, designing the label, and completing all the paperwork needed to be licensed. And that includes pouring her wine personally, for us, here in the ACME shop and delivering every bottle sold as well.

Picked on October 10, 2018, the grapes were foot stomped and cold-soaked before inoculation. Fermentation was managed by both punchdowns and Pulsair, a unique new technology using forced oxygen to break up the cap and promote yeast health and viability. After the wine was fermented dry, it was pressed into new Taransaud and Sylvain French oak barrels. Aged on the lees for 18 months before bottling unfiltered and unfined. This crisp and succulent ruby-red wine is made up of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. Gorgeous aromas of black cherry and soft vanilla waft out of the glass. The palate is vibrant and well-balanced with soft, elegant tannins and subtle notes of huckleberries, black currant, and cloves. Just 60 cases made!