Nose
The aromas are richly layered with notes of minerality, cocoa powder, aromatic red fruits and baking spices (cardamom with hints of cinnamon and clove).
Palate
The palate weight expands after entry to yield a balanced and supple echo of the aromas. Sweet cherry, ripe plum and roasted sweet chilis add interest and depth to the full range of flavors. The finish is watering with floral note.
Growing Conditions
It’s no secret that the 2011 harvest was one of the more challenging on record. The growing season began
with a wet winter and spring, and continued with rainfall into mid-June that delayed bloom and disrupted
fruit set, resulting in bunch shatter in parts of the region. The vintage ended with a long, cooler-thanaverage
growing season and a later-than-average harvest beset with autumn rains. However, our more
than 20 years of experience paid off, as we carefully tended our vines for balance. As a result, nature
provided us with a beautiful moderate foundation of tannic and fully developed sugars and flavors – and
we adapted our winemaking to capture this special character. The 2011 vintage surprises with aromatic
intensity, finesse, balance and a compelling sense of place.
Aging
Aged in new and used (50/50) French oak.
