Cain Cuvee NV16

60% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc. Cain Vineyard & Winery is located high in the forested Spring Mountain District with a somewhat isolated location away from most of the other Spring Mountain wineries. The winery was founded in 1980 by Jerry and Joyce Cain. Friends of the Cains, James and Nancy Meadlock became partners in the winery and assumed full ownership in 1991. The winery is situated on a ridgeline in the Macayamas Mountains; as with other Spring Mountain hillside wineries they sometimes receive snow in the winter. The vineyards range in elevation from about 1400 to 2100 feet with these uppermost vineyards among some of the higher vineyards found in Spring Mountain. All fermentation is done with wild yeasts. As for the NV16, it illustrates perfectly the way in which two vintages blended together can complement one another. 2015 was a moderately warm year with very low yields, while 2016 had higher yields and was cooler. 2016 gave them some lovely, light, perfumed wines, while 2015 plumps it up with roundness and warmth. The signature of the Cain Vineyard comes through clearly, while the vineyards in Rutherford, Oakville, and Carneros each contribute their part. The result is a bouquet of raspberries, red cherries, forest, and earth, but the best is the palate. This one steps lightly and with elegance—mouth-filling without being heavy, it slips down easy to a delicate, clean finish. An everyday Napa red that is affordable? Say no more about the Cain Cuvee NV16.