Writing these notes, March 31, 2022, amidst a three-year cycle of less than normal rainfall, I read my notes from the 2019 growing season and am mindful of it’s huge abundance of rainfall, 45+ inches for the season, 33 inches being normal for St. Helena. So, the vines languished from bud break, which was very late, to harvest in a deep profile of ground water. This was great for the Forman Vineyard parcel being a 200 ft. swath of an ancient three-million-year-old riverbed. The gravel structure allows the water to penetrate deeply, but also, because of the great drain ability the roots can seek deeply into the subsoil for nutrients and water throughout the growing season, much like a vineyard in the Medoc. A heavier soil can be suffocating to the roots thus keeping them closer to the surface. The growing season had several heat spikes; two each in June, July, August and September, all four to eight days long at 93-103 degrees. This could have been hard on vines if sparce growth was evident yet because of the abundant winter-spring rain the growth was lush and protective. Ripening was late because of the late start to bud break but the health of the vines growing in the deeply wetted gravel matured the fruit to utter perfection. My tasting notes explain the results. 2019 was a spectacular vintage.
Forman 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is impressive, even the color tells the story: deep ruby red and very pretty in its brilliance. This is such a classic Bordeaux blend aromatically. Nothing is obvious but all so integrated. Deep black berry and tobacco seem to mesh with an almost mint-violet complex. A beautiful toasty oak brings all together. There is so much going on aromatically one can only imagine how time will enhance and develop the aromas into something quite grand indeed. It’s hard to stop inhaling these fabulous qualities. The flavor does not disappoint; there is so much going on. This is perhaps the richest wine Forman has ever produced, but certainly not awkwardly so. Beautiful fruit flavors combined with incredible texture. This is a tremendously mouth filling wine. A real keeper!
