Nose
The nose comes on with intense dried strawberry, brown spices and some toasty sweet oak.
Palate
The mouth continues and adds some black cherry, with bramble and a touch of cedar. The body is moderate with a smooth mouthfeel all the way to the bright finish.
Growing Conditions
The Spring of 2015 brought us very early bud break but fortunately no frost. Rainy weather during bloom which resulted in the vines setting a very small crop. The fruit ripened to a near record early harvest. With the small crop and good weather and vines produced grapes with excellent concentration and intense character.
Winemaking
Individual vineyard lots were destemmed, partially crushed and cold-soaked for 2 days to extract color and flavors. Three times a day punchdown or pumpover schedule was tailored to each lot to extract the fruit characters. The juice is then barrel fermented and aged in French oak barrels with 42% new oak for 9 months.
Appearance
Pale ruby colored
Food Pairing
Sweet oak and brown spices engage together with smoked Carnitas tamales with wild rice pilaf and dried cranberries. Black cherry and cedar blend together providing a profile fit for rack of lamb with roasted cherries and mint jelly. The toasted oak compliments aged hard cheeses such as Pecorino Romano, Gouda or Mezzo Secco.
