I like to think of Troubadour as the ultimate paradox. Historically a troubadour was someone who roamed around the countryside, making up whimsical stories and songs about love and life. But this is a pretty serious wine. The grapes that I chose for this wine were specific clones from specific vineyards in the Russian River Valley - familiar territory. These vineyards are in some of the cooler parts of the appellation. Therein lies the paradox. Many perceive the Russian River Valley as hot, but the truth is the region cools down quickly in the evenings of warm summer days. In making this wine, I wanted to tell the story of those unique neighborhoods through the crisp acidity, wonderful flavors, and rich tannins that this coolness creates. | Bob Cabral