2018 Pied à Terre Cabernet Sauvignon
Pied à Terre is the realization of Richard Luftig’s dream and the culmination of 25 years of experience as a professional wine buyer in New York City. He found it nearly impossible to buy an affordable, high-quality Cabernet from California. Pied à Terre was created to fill that void. After all, great wine doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Pied à Terre is a phrase that translates to “foot to earth.” We feel that the farmer’s footprint is the best fertilizer and the most important sight in a vineyard. When the land is well-trodden, the vine will be well-tended, and the details not overlooked. We are fortunate to be working with great winemakers (nowadays, Stephane Vivier; formerly, Clay Mauritson and Emma Kudritzki) who have, collectively, been making wine for almost 80 years. They share our conviction that great wine starts in the vineyard, and that attention to detail is everything.
2018 was the first “normal” vintage in many years, with none of the climatic difficulties that complicated previous years of the past decade. Cooler temperatures and moderate weather led to a long growing season, allowing grapes to ripen smoothly. It was an epic vintage that produced wines with great structure and concentration without being overripe. The outstanding result evokes the classic vintages of 2007, 2010, and 2013.
