Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon (1985)

About this wine

The 1985 Burgess Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley offers a refined nose of cassis, dark berries, cigar smoke, chipotles, and a good base of soil, with a gentle framing of cedary oak. On the palate, it is deep, full-bodied, and fairly complex, with a good core and soil signature, still a bit of backend tannin, and a long, focused, and very nicely balanced finish. This wine comes from a vintage that was considered one of the best since 1974, characterized by a long, cool growing season that allowed the grapes to ripen perfectly. Burgess Cellars, founded in 1972, has been known for producing classically-styled Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons from their hillside vineyards on Howell Mountain. The 1985 vintage was recognized for its quality, earning a spot on Wine Spectator's Top 100 list in 1989.

About the grape

Cabernet Sauvignon, a cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, originated in France and was introduced to Napa Valley in the late 19th century. Its thick skins and resistance to disease made it well-suited to Napa's climate, leading to its widespread cultivation. By the 1970s, Cabernet Sauvignon had become Napa's signature grape, with wines like the 1973 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon winning the 1976 Judgment of Paris, elevating the region's global reputation. Burgess Cellars, established in 1972, focused on producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon from their hillside vineyards, contributing to the varietal's prominence in Napa Valley.

Quick facts

• 🏞️ Burgess Cellars, established in 1972, is renowned for its hillside vineyards on Howell Mountain, producing wines with unique terroir-driven characteristics.
• ☀️ The 1985 vintage in Napa Valley was exceptional, featuring a warm, dry summer that led to wines with excellent structure and aging potential.
• 🧬 Cabernet Sauvignon, the grape variety used in this wine, is a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, discovered through DNA analysis in 1996.
• 🏆 Napa Valley gained international acclaim after the 1976 'Judgment of Paris,' where its wines outperformed French counterparts in a blind tasting.
• 🍷 The 1985 Burgess 'Vintage Selection' Cabernet Sauvignon was recognized in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines in 1989, highlighting its quality and appeal.

Palate profile

Producer

Burgess Cellars, established in 1972 by former Air Force pilot Tom Burgess, is situated on Napa Valley's Howell Mountain, a site with viticultural roots dating back to the 1870s when Swiss-Italian immigrants first planted vines there. The property was previously home to Souverain Winery, where notable winemakers like Mike Grgich and Warren Winiarski began their careers. In 2020, the Lawrence Family acquired Burgess Cellars, continuing its legacy of producing elegant, hillside wines. The winery emphasizes regenerative farming practices, including promiscuous farming, which involves interplanting apple trees among the vines to enhance soil health and biodiversity.