Gravelly soils are responsible for some of the world’s greatest wines. With their superior draining properties and lack of nutrients, they encourage better-balanced vines, less sprawl, smaller berries, and more intense wines. Gravel Bed Red, as the name suggests, is a proprietary blend showcasing some of the best gravelly sites in Sonoma County. Our 2016 bottling features Cabernet from two superb, rocky/volcanic sites in Sonoma Valley: Cherryblock and Lyon. The Cabernet Sauvignon from the Cherryblock Vineyard is a blend of young and old vines. Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Syrah, and Zinfandel were blended in for added complexity and balance.

2016 was a prime vintage producing high-quality fruit. Overall the season was earlier than average with temperate weather allowing for even ripening and balanced flavors. The summer months were moderately warm with few heat spikes. Overall, the mild season gave us wines of ample ripeness and great complexity. The grapes were harvested under clear night skies from September 14th to October 21st at optimum ripeness.

We cold soaked many of the lots to increase color and flavor extraction. All of the grapes were fermented warm and only a small portion of press wine was included for aromatics and structure. After fermentation, all of the individual lots were racked off the lees and put into a combination of French and Hungarian oak barrels. After aging for 18 months, the wine was bottled in April 2018.

Our 2016 Gravel Bed Red is a harmonious expression of gravely vineyard sites from a moderately warm vintage. Its deep ruby red color leads into forward aromas of cherry liquor, tobacco leaf, wet stone minerality, and a hint of oak. Dark fruit flavors attack the palate predominated by blackberry, black cherry, herbs de Provence, and dried leaves. The impressive palate offers enough tannin and acidity to reign in the generous fruit. This wine is showing well in its youth, but will only gain in complexity over the next 2-4 years.