Growing Conditions
This vineyard, high atop Atlas Peak on 15 acres of
rocky, volcanic soil at an elevation of up to 1,350 feet, would carry on its terroir through the vines into the grapes
and, ultimately, finish in the glass.
A classic Napa Valley growing season and harvest provided an abundance of quality grapes from which winemakers
had to choose in 2012. From spring bud break, through flowering, fruit set, and ripening, conditions were ideal. A
consistent stretch of warm summer weather, without large heat spikes and with plenty of cool and foggy nights,
ripened grapes to perfection before late rains appeared at the end of October.
Bottling
Spent 20 months in
bottle prior to release.
Winemaking
The fruit’s rich flavors, ripe tannins and balanced acidity enabled Michael to craft M Cabernet Sauvignon
with unmatched richness, elegance and harmony. After the grapes were gently hand-harvested and the individual
clusters selected, they were de-stemmed and lightly crushed into small punch down tanks. After a five day cold
soak period, the juice was fermented at 27-30°C. Extended post-fermentation maceration brings the total skin
contact time to 28-32 days fully marrying the wine’s rich black fruit flavors and supple, sculpted tannins. The
young wine was then moved to barrel for malolactic fermentation and
Aging
22 months of aging in French oak barrels
(87% new). It was clarified with a light egg-white fining in barrel, using organic eggs.
