2017 TRIBE & ARROW
Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley | 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot
Harvested October 5, 2017 — Full Harvest Moon

THE 2017 VINTAGE — A YEAR OF RESILIENCE

The 2017 Napa Valley growing season began with abundant winter rainfall, replenishing the soils after several years of drought. A mild spring encouraged healthy growth, followed by a long summer that allowed Cabernet Sauvignon to develop concentration, structure, and complexity.

We harvested our Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon on October 5, 2017, under the Full Harvest Moon. It was a beautiful and meaningful moment to bring in the fruit, with the vineyard showing the balance of physiological maturity, natural acidity, and aromatic expression I look for at harvest.

Just three days later, on October 8, devastating wildfires began sweeping through Northern California, forever marking the 2017 vintage in Napa Valley history.

Our fruit had already been safely harvested before the fires began, making that October 5 pick date especially meaningful in hindsight.

For me, 2017 is a reminder that great wines are shaped by both nature and the decisions we make in response to it.

THE WINE — DIAMOND MOUNTAIN CHARACTER

Varietal Composition: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon | 20% Merlot

Diamond Mountain's elevated vineyards, volcanic soils, and naturally low-vigor growing conditions give Cabernet Sauvignon its distinctive identity: concentrated black fruit, firm mountain tannins, graphite, cedar, savory complexity, and remarkable aging potential.

The expression I seek in Tribe & Arrow is one of power held in balance: dark cassis and blackberry, dried violet, mountain herbs, and cedar, supported by vibrant acidity and a structured, persistent finish.

The 80% Cabernet Sauvignon provides the mountain's signature structure, dark fruit, and aging potential, while the 20% Merlot contributes roundness, supple texture, and depth through the mid-palate.

Rather than pursuing sheer concentration, my objective is to preserve the mountain's natural tension and individuality.

Diamond Mountain already provides the power. My job is to preserve the elegance and energy within it.

WINEMAKER PHILOSOPHY — JENNY LYNN

I am a first-generation Napa vintner, originally from California's Central Valley, and studied Wine & Viticulture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

One of my earliest and most influential experiences was meeting legendary winemaker Randy Dunn during a college trip to Napa, with a school bus full of viticulture students.

I still remember Randy speaking passionately about being able to taste the differences between Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain, and Diamond Mountain—and immediately recognizing where a wine came from.

He was frustrated that evolving winemaking styles and marketing pressures were beginning to erase those nuances.

His words stayed with me.

I began producing single-vineyard Pinot Noir under Olet'te Vineyards in 2011, and when I introduced Tribe & Arrow Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon in 2016, I brought that same philosophy with me.

Pick earlier to preserve natural acidity. Keep fermentation temperatures measured. Avoid excessive extraction. Let the AVA and vineyard speak.

I want my wines to tell the story of where they came from, not simply how they were made.

Brightness over excess. Site over technique. Elegance within power.

AT THE TABLE

FOOD PAIRING — Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb

Rosemary-crusted rack of lamb with roasted shallots and wild mushroom jus. The savory herbs complement the wine's mountain character, while the richness of the lamb balances its structured tannins.

CHEESE PAIRING — Pleasant Ridge Reserve

A beautifully aged alpine-style cheese with nutty, savory depth and delicate crystalline texture. Its complexity complements the wine's dark fruit, cedar, and mineral character without overwhelming its nuances.

MUSICAL PAIRING — Alabama Shakes, Hold On

Raw, soulful, and full of grit. A song about resilience, perseverance, and finding strength through adversity.

Much like the 2017 Napa Valley vintage, which endured extraordinary challenges, this song reminds us that greatness isn't always born from perfect conditions.

Sometimes, it's forged by overcoming them.

A NOTE FROM JENNY

The 2017 vintage will always hold a special place in Napa Valley history. Harvesting our Diamond Mountain Cabernet on the Full Harvest Moon, just days before the devastating wildfires, is a moment I will never forget.

For me, making wine has never been about chasing the biggest Cabernet or the highest ripeness. It's about respecting the land, trusting the vineyard, and having the restraint to let its character shine.

Nearly a decade later, that remains the philosophy behind every wine I make.

A vintage of resilience. A mountain of character. A wine built to stand the test of time.

— Jenny Lynn
Founder & Winemaker
Tribe & Arrow | Olet'te Vineyards

Follow us: @olettewines & @napajenny
Website: olettewines.com
Contact: jlynn@vinformant.com