Nose
Perfumed with spiced apple pie, tangerine, lemongrass, vanilla, brioche, and
orange blossom.
Palate
The mouth-filling palate is lush with baked pear, quince, ginger and
cardamom, which carry through to a mineral-laden finish lasting for minutes before enticing
the taster into another sip.
Growing Conditions
The 2012 growing season has been described by many as “textbook perfect”.
Temperate summer days moderated plant growth, contributing to smaller cluster and berry
size during lag phase, leading to increased concentration of flavors. An idyllic Indian summer
finished the maturation process, producing fruit with exceptional character and intensity.
Harvest
Hand harvested at night.
Bottling
Unfined and unfiltered; bottled January 2014.
Winemaking
Whole cluster to press, cold
Barrel fermented, indigenous yeasts, 5 months to completion
Spontaneous malolactic fermentation concurrent with alcoholic fermentation
Aging
Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 71% new. Aged sur lies with biweekly bâtonnage.
Coopers: François Frères, Cadus, Damy, and Seguin Moreau
Appearance
Brilliant golden straw
in color.