The Caton Cabernet Collection

If you’re familiar with Ty Caton Vineyards, you’re likely to know that all our wines are produced with the estate-exclusive grapes of the Caton Vineyard, located in the Mayacamas Mountain range in the Moon Mountain District of the Sonoma Valley. These forty acres of vineyards are intentionally spread out over the sprawling 108-acre ranch, and are home to multiple grape varieties including Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Among these are seven crown jewels of Ty’s offering, the small-production Cabernet Sauvignons that comprise the Caton Cabernet Collection.

The Caton Cabernet Collection is a highly limited series of Cabernet Sauvignons, each of which is produced from the fruit of a specific block of the Caton Vineyard. These blocks each have unique exposure to sun, soil, clones, and elevation, which allow for the expression of surprisingly distinctive aroma and flavor profiles in each wine. Essentially, they’re vineyard designates within a vineyard designate.

Arroyo

The Arroyo block sits on a south-easterly facing slope which allows the vines to enjoy the afternoon sun, making it a warmer site than the other blocks. The result is the Estate Arroyo Cabernet Sauvignon; a beautifully fruit-forward wine with lush notes of black currant jam on the palate. The deep flavors are balanced by beautiful acidity and mellow tannins, making this wine enjoyable now while also being incredibly age-worthy.

Knoll

A half-acre “rock” vineyard, the Knoll’s rows are planted east to west. Almost all of the vines and stakes were jack-hammered into the earth during development of this block. The vines on the Knoll are small with low yields, and produce some incredibly unique Cabernets. The Estate Knoll Cabernet Sauvignon moves from plum and cherry cola on the front of the palate to star anise on the finish, and has notes of pepper sprinkled throughout.

Terraces

The only terraced vineyard, the Terraces is a rocky site that enjoys direct west-facing sun exposure. The rows of this rugged vineyard block have hand-dug walking trails so they can be farmed without a tractor. Every vintage of Estate Terraces Cabernet Sauvignon delights us with something new and unexpected but always proves to be the definition of a beautifully balanced wine. Cherry pie and black currant flavors are complemented by medium tannins on the mid-palate and, though very drinkable now, it will continue to open up over time.

Little Hill

Little Hill is a small slice of easterly-facing land on the side of our vineyard road. Its non-fertile, bright white, powdery soil does not retain moisture. This rare, dry environment typically produces wines that are the most distinctive compared to those from the other Cabernet blocks. The Estate Little Hill Cabernet Sauvignon is a fresh, elegant wine with spice on the nose and strawberry jam on the palate. Cedar and cassis are perfect descriptors for this wine, making it ideal for holiday meals.

Big Hill

Big Hill is a rigid vineyard with very steep slopes, making it one of the most difficult sites to farm on the Caton Estate. Both its soil and its east-to-west row alignment create a wine with medium acidity and a polished tannin structure. The 2018 vintage shows a complex aroma profile of red and dark fruit with vibrant flavors of blackberry and mint. The Estate Big Hill Cabernet Sauvignon offers an elegant yet distinctive palate with supple fruit and exceptional quality.

Upper Bench

Upper Bench is the highest point of the vineyard with the deepest, richest, red volcanic soil. It features eight small watering stations, by which we’re able to control the watering volume on a micro level. Our Estate Upper Bench Cabernet Sauvignon boasts ripe fruit flavors and smoked bacon, along with graphite and a hint of lavender. A beautiful balance of tannins and acidity add depth to this full-bodied wine.

Barracks

With finesse, this north-to-south facing vineyard consistently produces the biggest, boldest wines with classic Cabernet aromas and flavors. The Estate Barracks Cabernet Sauvignon shows notes of black currant, plum, black cherry, cedar, and baking spices are followed by a long, lingering finish, making it one of our favorites to cellar for a few years.

Each in its own way, the Cabernet Collection wines represent the very best of our Cabernet Sauvignon sites within the Caton Vineyard. They’re all distinct, rare, and truly one-of-a-kind. We’re thrilled to share this collection of incredibly special wines with you, and offer a variety of ways to experience them. The collection is available for purchase at our tasting room and through our online shop, and we invite you to join us in-person for a memorable Caton Cabernet Collection Tasting Experience. Become a member of the Caton Cabernet Collection Wine Club to guarantee your exclusive access to these limited wines vintage after vintage. With a club membership you’re also entitled to generous discounts on all wine purchases, complimentary tastings, and other attractive benefits. Learn more and sign up here, or reach out to us for further information.

 

We can’t wait to share the Caton Cabernet Collection with you!