2017 Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

VINTAGE NOTES: Following a winter with exceptionally high rainfall, the 2017 growing season got off to slow start with some April rain. Almost ideal weather in May during flowering resulted in an about average crop. Harvest was smooth with average timing, marred only by a heat spike in mid-September. The growing season finished with devastating fires in our area, fortunately well after our grapes were picked. Overall heat accumulation was above average.
 
WINEMAKING NOTES: Grapes were gently destemmed into small, chilled fermenters and held for three days of cold soak before start of fermentation. As the tanks warmed, fermentation commenced and lasted eight days with hand punch downs twice per day. After pressing, the young wine went straight to French Oak barrels, 40% of which were new, and completed malolactic fermentation. After two rackings, it was gently filtered and bottled February 19, 2019.
 
TASTING NOTES: The aroma leads with assertive black tea, blackberry and tobacco spice. In addition, inviting notes of mocha and vanilla add lift to the layers of the aroma. With sweet entry in the mouth, the mid- and back-palate provide rich, lasting finish of chewy tannins and delicious black cassis. Notes of violet flowers add complexity to the long finish of this wine that assure many years of evolution in the bottle.
 
AWARDS: Silver Medal, 2020 Sunset Magazine Wine Competition