Winemaker Notes
This terroir-driven wine shows an intense array of wild blackberry, boysenberry, blueberry jam and dark chocolate aromas, as well as hints of wet slate, graham cracker and cardamom. On the palate, classic notes of dusty Rutherford minerality and beautifully balanced French oak frame both red and dark berry
flavors, with notes of graphite, cracked pepper, caramel and black tea adding depth to a long, fruit-filled finish.
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.