Production Notes
Varietal Composition: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc; Oak profile & Aging: 100% French Oak: 85% New, 15% Neutral, aged for 18 month
Winemaker Notes
This luscious wine beckons with beautiful aromas of blackberry jam, blueberry, cinnamon and huckleberry pie, intermingled with sweet doughy notes and hints of vanilla, black licorice and holiday baking spices. On the velvety palate, the flavors are both opulent and inviting, with ultra-fine tannins and playful acidity framing the luxurious fruit and carrying the wine to a lingering finish with sweet and savory notes of dried sage, tobacco leaf and Mexican chocolate.
Production
For both red and white grapes, 2018 offered near picture-perfect growing conditions, with mild spring and summer weather, and no significant heat events. The conditions were ideal for both our Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, which show beautiful tropical notes and ripe flavors at low sugars. While our Chardonnay harvest began about three weeks later than normal, the fruit arrived at the winery in pristine condition, producing dynamic and complex wines. The excellent growing conditions naturally resulted in a slightly larger than average crop for our red Bordeaux varieties, with fully lignified seeds at low sugars levels. With temperate weather throughout fall, we were able to pick each block at optimal ripeness, yielding exceptionally juicy and polished red wines, with plush, well-rounded tannins, and lovely overall structure.