Tasting Notes Deeply fruited with slight herbal and gamey notes from the whole clusters included in the ferment. On the nose, the wine displays black cherry and blackberry notes. On the palate, crisp acids and moderate tannins play counterpoint to the rich, dark fruit and Santa Rosa plum flavors. Delicious immediately with a cellaring potential of 5 to 7 years.
Winemaking Harvested at night into 1/2 ton bins between August 14th and September 4th. 85% destemmed to stainless; 15% whole clusters retained. 3 day cold soak, 5 day ferment, and an average of 18 days total skin contact. Press wine and free run combined at pressing. Elevage: 25% new wood for 10 months with one racking in May following vintage. Bottled after a light filtration in August of 2016.
Vintage Notes An early bud break was followed by a cold and rainy May, impacting bloom and limiting fruit set. The small crop ripened quickly and evenly, sped along by warm, offshore winds during the second week of harvest.