Growing Conditions

The fifth vintage of this blend–it represents our version of a “winemaker’s wine.” Having spent so much time working in Bordeaux and visiting Burgundy, the Loire and the Rhone, I’m deeply steeped in French winemaking tradition, including their orientation toward the growing site or region. Thus, all our wines are either vineyard designates or regional blends. While Annum is an appellation wine, it is the one blend we make each year that allows us to select from a range of vineyards to make the best blend possible that vintage.

In 2010, an early season frost damaged the young shoots, resulting in our smallest production ever. This release is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, from the following appellations: Oakville, 30%; Rutherford, 22%; Diamond Mountain, 20%; Yountville, 15%; St. Helena, 9%; and Mt. Veeder, 4%.

Bottling

This wine was lightly fined with egg whites and bottled without filtration in February 2013.

Winemaking

As with all of our wines, it went through native yeast and malolactic fermentations. This wine combines the harmony produced by traditional Bordelaise winemaking techniques with the voluptuousness of a great Napa Valley vintage.

Aging

Aging on the fine lees incorporates the oak so that the two years our 2010 Annum spent in 100% new French oak barrels is barely noticeable.