Indigo – ai represents the color indigo in the Japanese language, an element used in textile dyeing for thousands of years. Indigo is a rare commodity, just as the wine that bears its name, and with aging, both evolve and soften in texture and expression. Selected from the Napa Valley estate's most superb blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon and enhanced by complementary Bordeaux components, ai is the boldest expression of the estate’s vineyard potential, yet remains accessible while young.
KENZO
Prestige Cabernet Sauvignon
“This is very reserved at first, before it suddenly opens up with pure currants, underbrush, licorice, tar, crushed stones and dark chocolate shavings. The plush fruit of the vintage is there to be beheld, but it's so compact and beautifully framed by structured tannins. Lovely acidity drives the palate through to a long, chewy finish. Sexy.”
JAMES SUCKLING ON AI
ai represents the color indigo in the Japanese language. Traditionally used for ages in textile dyeing, indigo is a rare commodity — just as the wine that bears its name. The 2019 ai is a return to the opulent, full bodied, wines of yore. Dark aromas of black pepper, crushed granite, plum preserves and cinnamon describe this sizzling aromatic puzzle, hastening you towards a wonderfully integrated palate of supple and luscious tannins. Ambrosial fruits mingle with a divine spice, and all are framed by a soft and sweet French oak tannin. Like the Indigo artist who carefully applies his craft, the 2019 ai is constructed with the gentlest touch from our talented winemaking team. Enjoy now and for many years to come.
AWARDS
100 Points | California Wine Advisor: "A masterpiece that must be tasted to believe the intensity of exotic fruit flavors and cashmere-like texture ... a captivating experience we highly recommend"
92+ Points | Robert Parker Wine Advocate: "Full-bodied, concentrated and oh-so-decadent"
94 Points | James Suckling: "Beautiful, incredibly pure bouquet, shows the purity and classic style of this vintage"
COLOR
Dark Indigo
BOUQUET
Plum, cinnamon, vanilla, cherry preserves, white pepper, slate
PALATE
Dense, velvety texture; soft tannins, lingering finish
ORIGIN
Estate Bottled, Napa Valley
VINTNER
Kenzo Tsujimoto
WINEMAKER
Heidi Barrett
VITICULTURIST
David Abreu
CÉPAGE
Cabernet Sauvignon (91%), Merlot (4%), Petit Verdot (3%), Cabernet Franc (2%)
VOLUME
1.5L, 750ml, 375ml
ALCOHOL
15.2%
BARREL AGING
20 months in 50% new French oak, 50% neutral French oak
Awards
93 Points - "firm, fine-grained tannins. Rich style with a warm finish" - James Suckling
Color
Deep maroon
Bouquet
Wild strawberry, vanilla extract, dark chocolate, ripe apricot, white pepper, cigar box, cedar, leather
Palate
Dense, yet delicate. Ripe red berry with a hint of dusty earth supported by young, integrated tannins
Origin
Estate Bottled, Napa Valley
Vintner
Kenzo Tsujimoto
Winemaker
Heidi Barrett
Viticulturist
David Abreu
Cépage
Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), Malbec (4%), Merlot (4%), Petit Verdot (3%), Cabernet Franc (2%)
Volume
1.5L, 750ml, 375ml
Alcohol
15.2%
Barrel Aging
20 months in 50% new French oak, 50% neutral French oak
Awards
96 points | The Wine Enthusiast
96 points | James Suckling
Color
Deep burgundy
Bouquet
Wild blackberries, vanilla bean, cedar, blood orange, slate, white pepper
Palate
Savory, well-structured, balanced acidity, silky, well-integrated tannins
Origin
Estate Bottled, Napa Valley
Vintner
Kenzo Tsujimoto
Winemaker
Heidi Barrett
Viticulturist
David Abreu
Cépage
Cabernet Sauvignon (92%), Cabernet Franc (2%), Malbec (2%), Merlot (2%), Petit Verdot (2%)
Volume
1.5L, 750ml, 375ml
Alcohol
15.2%
Barrel Aging
20 months in 50% new French oak, 50% neutral French oak
Color
Rich maroon
Bouquet
Wild blackberries, vanilla bean, cedar, blood orange, white pepper, slate
Palate
Savory, well-structured, balanced acidity, delicate tannins
Origin
Estate Bottled, Napa Valley
Vintner
Kenzo Tsujimoto
Winemaker
Heidi Barrett
Viticulturist
David Abreu
Cépage
Cabernet Sauvignon (90%), Merlot (4%), Cabernet Franc (2%), Malbec (2%), Petit Verdot (2%)
Volume
1.5L, 750ml, 375ml
Alcohol
15.2%
Barrel Aging
20 months in 50% new French oak, 50% neutral French oak
Awards
97 points | James Suckling
Color
Rich maroon
Bouquet
Sweet cinnamon, dried apricot, orange zest
Palate
White pepper, sage, thyme flanked by austere tannins
Origin
Estate Bottled, Napa Valley
Vintner
Kenzo Tsujimoto
Winemaker
Heidi Barrett
Viticulturist
David Abreu
Cépage
Cabernet Sauvignon (90%), Malbec (7%), Cabernet Franc (1.5%), Merlot (1.5%)
Volume
1.5L, 750ml, 375ml
Alcohol
14.8%
Barrel Aging
20 months in 60% new French Oak, 40% neutral French Oak
The 2012 ai is a return to the opulent, full-bodied, wines of yore. Dark aromas of black pepper, crushed granite, plum preserves, and cinnamon hasten you towards a wonderfully integrated pallet of supple and luscious tannins. Ambrosial fruits mingle with a divine spice, and all are framed by a soft and sweet French oak tannin. The 2012 ai is bright and playful in its youth, but patience is a virtue with this wine, as the passage of time will reveal many more layers of complexity.
Color
Dark ruby red
Bouquet
Black pepper, crushed granite, cocoa, new leather, plum preserves and cinnamon
Palate
Firm tannins give way to plum and blackberry, followed by medium acidity on the mid-palate and a lush finish
Origin
Estate Bottled, Napa Valley
Vintner
Kenzo Tsujimoto
Winemaker
Heidi Barrett
Viticulturist
David Abreu
Cépage
Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), Merlot (6.5%), Petit Verdot (4.4%), Cabernet Franc (2.2%)
Volume
750ml, 375ml
Alcohol
14.8%
Barrel Aging
20 months in 60% new French Oak, 40% neutral French Oak
The 2011 vintage: elegant and angular tannins caress the senses and speak to the cool temperatures that prevailed throughout the season. This is an elegant Cabernet Sauvignon, and a testament to Kenzo Estate’s unwavering quest for quality and superiority.
COLOR
Bright ruby red
BOUQUET
Blackberry, blueberry, graphite, crushed stone
PALATE
Rich, elegant, understated
ORIGIN
Estate Bottled, Napa Valley
VINTNER
Kenzo Tsujimoto
WINEMAKER
Heidi Barrett
VITICULTURIST
David Abreu
CEPAGE
Cabernet Sauvignon (96%), Cabernet Franc (2%), Petit Verdot (2%)
ALCOHOL
14.2%
BARREL AGING
20 months in 60% new French Oak, 40% neutral French Oak
Color
Brick red into dark purple
Bouquet
Brandied cherry and cedar with subtle notes of graphite and plum
Palate
A classic Cabernet Sauvignon; notes of blueberry, cassis, and hints of soft leather with rich tannins perfect for aging
Origin
Estate Bottled, Napa Valley
Vintner
Kenzo Tsujimoto
Winemaker
Heidi Barrett
Viticulturist
David Abreu
Cépage
Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Merlot (10%), Petit Verdot (6%), Cabernet Franc (4%)
Volume
750ml, 375ml
Alcohol
14.2%
Barrel Aging
20 months in 60% new French Oak, 40% neutral French Oak
Color
Dense dark red to a deep purple
Bouquet
The cedar and black licorice aroma of Cabernet Sauvignon make the first impression, followed by ripe plum and compelling spice with white pepper and marzipan
Palate
Firm tannins speak to the longevity of this wine and pedigree of the site
Origin
Estate Bottled, Napa Valley
Vintner
Kenzo Tsujimoto
Winemaker
Heidi Barrett
Viticulturist
David Abreu
Cépage
Cabernet Sauvignon (84.4%), Merlot (8.9%), Petit Verdot (2.2%), Cabernet Franc (2.2%), Malbec (2.2%)
Volume
750ml, 375ml
Alcohol
14.8%
Barrel Aging
20 months in 60% new French Oak
Color
Dense dark red to black
Bouquet
The cedar and black licorice aroma of Cabernet Sauvignon make the first impression, followed by ripe plum and compelling spice with white pepper and marzipan
Palate
Firm tannins speak to the longevity of this wine and pedigree of the site
Origin
Napa Valley
Vintner
Kenzo Tsujimoto
Winemaker
Heidi Barrett
Viticulturist
David Abreu
Cépage
Cabernet Sauvignon (86.9%), Merlot (6.6%), Cabernet Franc (3.3%), Malbec (1.6%), Petit Verdot (1.6%)
Volume
750ml, 375ml
Alcohol
14.2%
Barrel Aging
20 months in 60% new French Oak
ORIGIN
Napa Valley
VINTNER
Kenzo Tsujimoto
WINEMAKER
Heidi Barrett
VITICULTURIST
David Abreu
CEPAGE
Cabernet Sauvignon (54.8%), Merlot (28%), Cabernet Franc (6.5%), Petit Verdot (10.8%)
VOLUME
750ml
ALCOHOL
14.2%
BARREL AGING
20 months in 60% new French Oak
Created out of unwavering passion in the pursuit of perfection, 2006 ai is a gem. Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is culled from the highest quality barrels, selected from the finest grapes on the property. The extremely complex fruit manifests a layered flavor, fine structure and depth. As “ai” is the mystical color indigo, it represents an unwavering will for perfection and abundant passion; the appropriate reference for this masterpiece.
Color
Black fading to a dense dark red
Bouquet
Cedar and black licorice are followed by ripe plum and compelling spices of white pepper and marzipan
Palate
Black fruit, cassis and cedar support firm silky tannins
Origin
Napa Valley
Vintner
Kenzo Tsujimoto
Winemaker
Heidi Barrett
Viticulturist
David Abreu
Cépage
Cabernet Sauvignon (90%), Merlot (5%), Cabernet Franc (2.5%), Petit Verdot (2.5%)
Volume
750ml
Vintage
2006
Alcohol
14.2%
Barrel Aging
20 months in 60% new French Oak
ORIGIN
Napa Valley
VINTNER
Kenzo Tsujimoto
WINEMAKER
Heidi Barrett
VITICULTURIST
David Abreu
CEPAGE
Cabernet Sauvignon (86.4%), Merlot (8.7%), Cabernet Franc (1.9%), Petit Verdot (3%)
VOLUME
750ml
ALCOHOL
14.2%
BARREL AGING
20 months in 60% new French Oak