Harvest

The 2017 growing season began with abundant winter rains, followed by a warm, dry spring that led to a perfectly timed budbreak. In addition to replenishing the water table, the early season rains produced robust canopies, which provided invaluable shade during a week-long heat event that kicked harvest into gear during the last week of August. This was followed by a much-needed cooldown that allowed the vines to recuperate, while also giving us extra hangtime for flavor development and tannin resolution. We harvested throughout September and into early October, with the grapes showing lovely ripeness and quality, yielding plush, polished and wonderfully complex wines.

Winemaking

Dark, juicy and provocative, this wine displays aromas of blackberry, black plum and blueberry, with silky undercurrents of mocha and molasses. The dark berry notes are echoed on the palate, where they mingle with hints of dark chocolate, sweet tobacco leaf and violets. Framed by firm, but well-integrated tannins, this wine builds to a long resonant finish with lingering notes of cassis and violet.