Nose
Begins with aromas of ripe blueberry and blackberry. Spicy integrated oak is accompanied by a potpourri of forest floor, cinnamon, clove, aromatic cedar and black pepper.
Palate
The flavor gives the impression of black cherry fruit with slight licorice and espresso complexity. This Malbec has a good overall balance of fruit, body, resolved tannin and balanced acidity. The depth of fruit, coupled with the richness of flavor, provides a profile that delivers from the initial sip and continues through to the palate for a very long finish.
Growing Conditions
The winter was one of the driest on record for the Napa Valley; however, when we did get rain, it came when the vines needed it most, promoting bud break and new shoot growth. The balance of the season was moderate to warm, the crop was abundant, and the fruit ripened about two weeks early on average. 2014 was a wonderful harvest yielding great wines with immense depth of flavor.
Bottling
August 2017
Winemaking
5 day cold soak followed by fermentation in stainless steel fermentors at 75-86°F for 10-28 days skin contact, averaging 21.5 days
Aging
Barrels: 100% French oak (29.4% new), Aged in Barrel: 27.5 months
Appearance
Dark ruby colored.
