Our 2016 Winemaker’s Cuvée is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from the northern tip of the Alexander Valley AVA east of the Russian River. The combination of this warm climate and its alluvial and gravelly loam soil is ideal for creating balanced wines of complexity, concentration, and richness. Black cherry, blueberry, and plum are the gateway to a multi-layered palate of dark fruits, vanilla, black currant, and the ideal tannin-acid structure on this wine. A supple mouthfeel with velvety tannins, rich flavors linger on the finish of this balanced wine.

The 2016 growing season brought fruit of exceptional quality and concentration. We had sufficient rainfall in the winter to help alleviate dryer than average conditions in recent years. Temperatures were moderate with some minor heat spikes in June and July. However, a cooling-off period in August led to ideal conditions at harvest. The wines from this vintage have great uniformity, concentration, and outstanding balance.

We harvested the fruit at optimal ripeness from October 9 - 12, 2016. Native yeasts were used for primary fermentation while secondary malolactic fermentation occurred naturally in barrel. To preserve the truest expression of the fruit, the wine was gently fined and bottled on March 14, 2018. This wine was aged sur lie for 15 months in a combination of French and American oak. 30% of the barrels were new and all were coopered using a combination of Medium Plus, Medium Long, and Heavy toast levels to provide better integration and balance.