Production Notes
Composition: 61% Sangiovese, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon; Aging & Oak: 18 months in oak - 100% French Oak, 50% New Oak, 50% Second Vintage
Winemaker Notes
A high-altitude Napa Valley twist on the acclaimed Super Tuscan wines of Italy, this riveting blend begins with a complex nose of strawberry, red brick, leather and sweet tobacco leaf. On the palate, firm, layered tannins add nuance and depth to flavors of juicy cranberry and wild strawberry, with an underlying note of earthy forest floor imparting an Old World feel to the finish.
– Winemaker Don LaBorde
Production
Other than being approximately a month earlier than usual, our 2015 harvest was smooth and successful, yielding exceptional quality grapes. To allow us ample opportunities for blending, we harvested 16 different grape varieties over the course of 12 weeks. During this period, Mother Nature provided heat to speed up ripening when we needed it, and equally well-timed cooler temperatures when the vines needed a respite. The extended harvest allowed us to pick all varieties at optimal ripeness. As a result, our white grapes show lovely aromatics and varietal character, and our reds show beautiful depth and concentration.
I completed this review in exchange for compensation and free product, but all views are my own.