When fires broke out in the Ole Smoky mountains, Zac Brown rushed to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, home of Ole Smoky Distillery, to play a benefit concert. The result was a relationship forged in fire and an enduring friendship between like-minded people with a deep respect for the importance of great friends and community.

TASTING NOTES

Z. Alexander Brown Whiskey Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon opens with lush aromas of dark ripe fruit and sweet toasted oak notes. Bold tannins frame a powerful mid-palate layered with generous flavors of notes suggestive of Whiskey: caramel, brown sugar and toasted oak. Balanced and smooth, a decadent full body defines the long and lingering finish with a hint of spice.

VINTAGE

A cool start to the season brought on slow even ripening with enough rain to generate reservoirs establishing a strong root system. A warm summer followed with few heat spikes promoting even canopy growth and fruit development that maintained bright fruit flavors. After a successful harvest along with lots of hard work, we are left with a Cabernet Sauvignon we are proud of – layered, balanced, and delicious.

WINEMAKING

Picking decisions are based on winemaker evaluation, vineyard condition, and proper flavor ripeness. The grapes are picked in the cool of the morning and slowly warmed to fermentation temperatures. Early extraction with multiple pump-overs promotes great color and deep, smooth tannins. The wine then completes malolactic fermentation before blending. After the wine is made, a portion of the blend was aged for a minimum of 3 months in premium Ole Smoky Whiskey barrels.