Wine Notes
Vintage:
2021
Appellation:
Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley
Vineyards:
The vineyard sources for Cabernet Sauvignon in this wine cme from the Napa Valley sub-appellations of Mt. Veeder, our home base, Oakville, Rutherford and Yountville. Notable vineyards include Beckstoffer’s George III in Rutherford and Veeder Ridge on Mt. Veeder at 1500’. The Malbec and Petit Verdot hail from our long time, consistent vineyard in Yountville with its alluvial soils and warm Region II climate. The Malbec adds color, layered black fruit with full, round tannins. The Petit Verdot adds color, high-tone perfume aromatics and round, dense tannins.
Vintage Notes:
The winter of 2021 proved to be yet again low in rainfall, 15 inches, much less than our “normal” 36-40”. This resulted in smaller berries thus more concentrated wines. Spring weather was mild which gave a good “fruit set” and normal crop. Summer weather was also mild; heat spikes and veraison started “on time” about August 10th. Fall was also mild and harvest proceeded with ease and near perfect conditions.
Fermentation & Aging:
All of the vineyards were harvested in late September through the end of October. Average Brix was well over 25° with acids from 6-7 grams/liter and the pHs ranging from 3.6 to 3.85. The grapes were sorted removing green and raisined fruit. Fermentation was done in stainless steel tanks. The must was pumped over until a cap formed, then sprinkle irrigated the entire fermentation. Pressing was gentle using both basket and tank presses. The barrel regime was 100% tight grain French, with about 40% new. Malolactic fermentation was completed in barrel. The final blend was completed in December 2023 and bottled in February of 2024.