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Tasting Notes

This is a big and bold blend with great aging potential. The flavors and aromas are layered with spicy notes of cinnamon and clove on the nose and vibrant red fruit flavors highlighted with cassis and licorice. The rich and robust wine finishes long with lots of structure and body.

Vintage Notes

It’s no secret our 2012 harvest was outstanding, with ideal weather and an abundance of exceptional fruit. Warm, moderate temperatures throughout the growing season allowed our fruit to reach the perfect state of ripeness without sacrificing balance and intensity. With no heat spikes, cold weather or rain, the fruit ripened evenly and developed great color and concentration, producing wines with rich flavors and excellent structure.

Vineyard Notes

We’ve sourced Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from vineyards located 2,000 feet above Lake Sonoma in the Rockpile appellation, one of California’s newest and most admired appellations. Climbing up the northern border of Dry Creek Valley, Rockpile is an exceptional grape-growing region producing remarkable, concentrated fruit. This blend also includes Malbec from our Estate Wild Oak Vineyard in Sonoma Valley.

Winemaker Notes

The grapes undergo a five-day cold soak before fermentation to extract optimal color and aroma. Each varietal is fermented separately, using different yeast strains to enhance aromas and flavors. After primary fermentation, the wine is pumped into 100% French oak barrels, where it undergoes natural malolactic fermentation followed by 20 months of aging before blending and bottling.

WINEMAKER

Chris Louton

COLLECTION

Artisan Collection

GRAPE VARIETIES

71% Cabernet Sauvignon
15% Malbec
14% Petit Verdot

ALCOHOL

15 %

CASES PRODUCED

730

AGING

20 Months

Bottling Date

August 2014

Barrel

French Oak