QTR Cabernet Sauvignon 2012Napa Valley

This is the first vintage of QTR, a winery with estate vineyard planted just south of Howell Mountain in Saint Helena. Jim Barbour planted and is farming the vineyard while Philippe Melka is in charge of the winemaking. In total, there is about 13 acres planted to all Cabernet Sauvignon that includes four different clones. The vineyard was first planted in 2000 so for the 2012 to be their first vintage says a lot about their drive to offer the best that the vineyard showcased. Most wineries wouldn’t have released a wine 12 years after planting; they would have released a few years earlier. I first tasted this debut vintage offering back in February and thought it had potential to be a really good wine. This 2012 offers deep red and purple fruit with toasted espresso and dark mocha. 380 cases were produced.