Wine Notes
Vintage:
2020
Appellation:
St. Helena, Napa Valley
Vineyards:
The Calafia Estate Vineyard is located in the center of the St. Helena appellation on Fulton Lane. The soil is Bale Loam and contains a fair amount of cobble from the Napa River, which increases our drainage. The vineyard was planted in 2000 and one block was replanted in 2004 due to the discovery of Leaf Roll II in Cabernet Clone 337. Currently the vineyard is planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon 20% Malbec and 10% Petit Verdot. All our clones are from the ENTAV certification program in France. Our day-to-day manager is the intrepid Francisco Arigo, who has been our watchful caretaker since the first day in 2000!
Vintage Notes:
The winter of 2020 yielded only about 20” of rain, half of normal but enough to fill reservoirs and provide adequate irrigation. Spring weather at flowering was mild, allowing a “normal’ fruit set. Summer weather was also mild. Veraison (color change) started “on time” around August 10th. Harvest was earlier than normal.
Fermentation & Aging:
The grapes were harvested early morning on September 27th. The sugar was 25.7° Brix, acid was 6.5 grams/liter and the pH was 3.78. The must was sorted removing green “stem jacks”. Fermentation took place in an open tank and punched down (pigéage) 3 to 4 times per day. Pressing was very gentle, using a traditional basket press. The barrel-aging regime was 33% new and 67% once-filled French oak using Chateau-Ferré style barrels that are very tight grain. The staves were air-dried for 30 months and received a medium toast level. Aging time was 25 months. The oak seamlessly integrated with the wine, giving background structure with fine-grain tannins. The wine was bottled in February 2023.