Today’s W3 - William White Wines 2011 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is yet another stunner from Operative-favorite winemaker William White.

The 2011 vintage was beset by myriad problems. The spring was cool and wet, which delayed the growing season and gave grape growth a late start. Summertime temperatures seldom reached above 90 degrees, which delayed ripening. Concern over late ripening caused vineyard managers to cut back the leafy canopy of the grape vines, in order to hasten ripening by exposing the grapes to more sunshine. Then, something dreadful happened: a heat spike arrived, causing damage to some grapes. Grape yields in 2011 ended up being quite small.

Those small yields were in very high demand, and skilled winemaker William White took them and worked with nature to produce today’s wonderful wine. Today’s W3 - William White Wines 2011 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a delicious, complex and youthful Cab that shows great aging potential. By all means, enjoy a few bottles now, but be sure to lay the rest down for the next decade or longer - if you have the patience!