Palate
Classic red and black fruit avors predominate in our 2010 Panek Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon. Low tannins lend maple syrup and brown sugar qualities—
a sweetness that is cut by the acidity which balances and properly delineates the
wine, prolonging the finish.
Growing Conditions
The 2010 growing season was marked by abundant late spring rains and cool
summer temperatures that persisted throughout most of August. We were highly
proactive in the vineyard to get the fruit to completion, which meant thinning
earlier and harder than usual. The vines were constantly surveyed with a total
of five thinning passes—two on green fruit, one during veraison, and two more
before final ripening.
Providing good separation for the clusters was essential to preventing
disease during the prolonged cold, as was ensuring adequate canopy protection
through the heat spikes of late August and September.
Those who produced great 2010 wines despite these less than favorable
conditions will certainly distinguish themselves. Aggressive early thinning turned
out to be the right approach to encourage proper ripening. In the end, we reduced
what began as a small set by half, harvesting a mere two tons per acre.
Bottling
The wine was bottled without fining
or filtration June 2012.
Winemaking
Each of the four clones was picked and fermented separately. Clusters were
hand sorted prior to sulphur-free de-stemming and cold soaked for seven days.
Only natural yeasts attended each small lot, with no inoculation for alcoholic
or malolactic fermentation. Although each clone produced a lot of distinct quality,
we ultimately selected three as superlative enough for the final blend.
Aging
Aging: 20 months in 100% French
oak (80% new barrels)
Barrel Coopers: Taransaud
and Ermitage
