Cain Vineyard & Winery 'Cain Cuvée NV15', Napa Valley, California NV15

Cain Vineyard & Winery, perched high in the Spring Mountain District, has long followed a path of its own. Since its founding, Christopher Howell and his team have crafted wines that reflect place and season, prioritizing balance, drinkability, and the voice of their rugged mountain site over extraction or artifice. The Cain Cuvée embodies this philosophy — a blend designed to be supple, complex, and immediately pleasurable, yet true to Napa’s mountain character.

• WINEMAKER: Christopher Howell
• FARMING: Dry-farmed, sustainably managed estate vineyards in the Spring Mountain District, complemented by select valley-floor parcels. Vineyard work emphasizes canopy balance and biodiversity, with minimal chemical inputs.
• VARIETY: Classic Bordeaux blend — predominantly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller portions of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.
• TERROIR: Seventy percent of the fruit originates from Cain’s estate on Spring Mountain (gravelly, well-drained soils at 1,400–2,100 feet elevation), and the remaining thirty percent comes from valley-floor sites across Napa Valley. The mountain component provides structure, freshness, and aromatic lift, while the valley parcels contribute roundness and supple fruit.
• VINIFICATION: The NV15 is a blend of two vintages — 2014 and 2015 — both powerful, low-yield years shaped by drought and cool flowering conditions. Fermentation occurred in small stainless steel tanks using native yeasts, with gentle punchdowns to preserve fruit purity. The two vintages were matured separately before blending to achieve balance and complexity.
• AGING: The blend was aged in small French oak barrels, with roughly one-third new oak. The older vintage lots (2014) contribute integration and harmony, while the younger vintage (2015) lends brightness and aromatic energy. The wine rested in barrel until its release in September 2019.
• TASTING NOTES: Fuller than previous editions, NV15 shows soft, ripe plum, roasted meat, and earthy forest-floor tones layered over sweet spice and savory mushroom. The palate is warm and supple, with fine, persistent tannins and a long, satisfying finish — a wine of immediate pleasure and quiet depth.
• FOOD PAIRINGS: Perfect with grilled meats, roasted poultry, mushroom risotto, or simply alongside aged cheeses. Its balance of fruit and savory elements makes it versatile across cuisines.