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Tasting Notes
This bold red wine, crafted from fruit sourced in Sonoma County’s smallest AVA, Rockpile, unveils a fresh pepper note leading to an earthy bouquet featuring sweet carob root, allspice, and plum. The concentrated mid-palate delivers a velvety texture with pronounced flavors of sandalwood, raspberry, and black tea. This wine boasts dusty tannins hinting of nutmeg and savory baking spice, elevating the delicate finish that deepens as the wine breathes. Decanting is recommended to fully appreciate the intricate layers and bold expression of this exceptional wine.
Vintage Notes
The 2021 growing season saw near-perfect growing conditions. With minimal winter rain, the vines were awakened with ideal moderate springtime temperatures, eliminating any frost threat to the developing buds. At most sites, fruit set was during the optimal timeframe due to warm, consistent conditions. Veraison occurred 7-10 days earlier than in previous years due to the temperate weather and minimal rain. Moderate daytime temperatures and cool nights throughout the summer months, with a few of the regular short-lived heat spikes, allowing for excellent flavor development. The year saw an early harvest, with 90% of the region’s grapes being picked before the late Fall.
Vineyard Notes
We’ve sourced Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from vineyards located 1,900 feet above Lake Sonoma in the Rockpile appellation, one of California’s most admired appellations. With only about 160 planted acres, Rockpile is also one of the smallest AVAs in the United States. Climbing up the northern border of Dry Creek Valley, Rockpile’s high elevation, extreme terrain and unique climate make it an exceptional grape-growing region producing remarkable, concentrated fruit.
Winemaker Notes
All grapes are gently de-stemmed before cold-soaking for two days to extract optimal color and flavor. The fruit is fermented in separate lots, allowing each lot to be individually and distinctly crafted before being aged in French oak barrels, 40% new. The wine is kept in barrel for 17 months before final blending.
