Nose

fresh, fragrant aromas of sweet black cherry, blackberry and dark plum fruit complemented by seductive sandalwood and toasty oak scents.

Palate

Richly fruity on the palate with ripe, concentrated, blackberry, dark cherry and black plum flavors, it is framed by supple tannins and fresh acidity, finishing with pleasing briary spice and mineral tones

Growing Conditions

In 2013, a warm, dry spring initiated early budbreak, ensured trouble-free vine flowering and grape set, and led to a consistently mild summer fostering steady, even ripening and grapes with wonderful flavor concentration. The fruit for Guajolote was night- and hand-harvested between September 16th and October 10th to maximize freshness and varietal intensity.

Winemaking

A master blender, Cakebread Cellars winemaker Julianne Laks is especially adept at taking small lots of disparate varieties and marrying them into seamless wines that are far greater than the sum of their parts. Each component lot of Guajolote was hand-harvested at night to preserve the fruit’s freshness and purity, then fermented in small stainless steel tanks using manual punchdowns to gently macerate the juice and skins and extract optimal color and flavor. The 2013 Guajolote aged 17 months in 62% new French oak barrels before bottling in April, 2015.

Aging

17 months in French oak barrels, 62% new