Production Notes
Varietal Content
98% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot
Cooperage
100% French oak château-style barrels (60 gallons)
Barrel Aging: 16 Months
Age of Barrels: 50% New, 50% Second Vintage
Winemaker Notes
With its inky color and its dazzling aromas of blackberry, espresso, anise, cinnamon and fresh-cracked walnuts, this is a classically beautiful expression of Petit Verdot. The mouthfeel is both firm and inviting, with a rich, fleshy mid-palate that carries flavors of boysenberry, currant, cocoa and Chinese five-spice to a luxurious finish, punctuated with hints of black licorice and rose petal.
Production
2012 offered near-perfect growing conditions. Though budbreak was late due to heavy spring rains, warm weather during bloom allowed the vines to set a large crop. Increased yields were the result of more berries, not larger berries. This translated into even higher quality in the winery, as the skin-to-juice ratio remained ideal. Slightly cooler-than-average post-veraison weather, and a lack of any heat events allowed for greatly extended hang time. Harvest was 2-3 weeks later than average, and the grapes arrived at the winery in pristine condition.