Nose
With great depth, the aroma opens to ripe blackcurrant, blackberry, Bing cherry, cassis, spearmint and forest floor; with very well integrated oak spices. The spicy oak has cinnamon, clove, aromatic cedar, vanilla and the overall impression is of a dark chocolate truffle dusted with cocoa powder.
Palate
The entry is full and promising with dark fruit flavors like blackberry and currant, while the tannins are firm yet resolved nicely. With lots of depth, this wine is juicy and rich; a great example of a refined mountain cabernet.
Growing Conditions
This growing season was ideal and some would venture to say perfect. With textbook conditions for spring bud break, the vines experienced steady growth through flowering and fruit set. A classic summer weather pattern promoted a very even growing period, with fruit that was abundant but not overly cropped. Long summer days provided a long ripening period that reached our goals before the fall rains. Harvest was a winemaker’s dream.
Winemaking
5 day cold soak, inoculated with D245 and Melody yeast, 10 day fermentation at 88°F at the peak, with a total of 23 days of skin contact
Aging
Barrels: 61% new French OakCooperage: Taransaud, Seguin Moreau, Nadalie, DemptosAged in Barrel: 767 days
Appearance
This wine is dark, very dark, in fact it is opaque garnet with ruby edges.
Food Pairing
Begs to be paired with a perfectly marbled, grilled rib eye steak!
