Wine Notes
Vintage:
2021
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 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 wine. 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:
The grapes were harvested early morning on September 27th, the same day as the 2020 vintage. The sugar was 26.1° Brix, acid was 6.7 grams/liter and the pH was 3.84. The grapes were sorted removing underripe berries. Fermentation took place in an open tank and punched down (pigéage) 3 to 4 times/day. Pressing was gentle, using a traditional basket press. The barrel-aging regime was 30% new and 70% once-filled French oak using Chateau-Ferré style barrels, medium toast. Barrel aging time was 25 months. The oak seamlessly integrates with the wine, giving background structure with fine-grain tannins. The wine was bottled in February 2024.