Wine Notes
Vintage:
2022
Appellation:
St. Helena, Napa Valley
Vineyard:
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 Cirigo, who has been our watchful caretaker since the vineyard was planted in 2000!
Vintage Notes:
Every season in 2022 held a surprise. Winter rainfall was 16-17”, about half of normal. Spring bud break was “on time” but in late April, northern California experienced extreme cold below 35F and several vineyards had some partial to severe frost damage. Summer weather was normally warm until September 5-7 when the western states experienced a “heat dome” with temperatures hitting 114-120F three afternoons in a row. Fortunately, there was minimal damage in Oakville and the harvest progressed normally and finished on time with very positive results.
Fermentation & Aging:
The grapes were harvested very early in the morning of October 5th, a week later than 2021. The sugar was 27.1° Brix, the acid was 5.1 grams/liter and the pH was 3.95. 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 40% new and 60% 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 2025.