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Gold Medal | San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
90 pts., Gold Medal | San Diego Wine & Spirits Competition
Tasting Notes
This wine opens with enticing aromas of fudge, cherry cordial, and blackberry, layered with hints of vanilla paste and sarsaparilla. On the palate, rich dark flavors take center stage, complemented by warm baking spices and a luscious, full-bodied structure. Broad, coating tannins create a luxurious texture, leading to a bold and enduring finish that balances depth with complexity.
Vintage Notes
Our 2022 harvest began just a little earlier than the previous year, with the first fruit picked on August 15. Limited rainfall during the growing season produced slightly lighter crops, bringing intense, concentrated flavor and color. The consistent weather during the summer months helped maintain fruit acidity, bringing brightness and balance to the fruit’s flavors. Harvest continued through the middle of October when we picked the last red grapes from our Sonoma Valley estate, Wild Oak Vineyard.
Vineyard Notes
The fruit for this robust Cabernet Sauvignon comes from one of Sonoma’s newest American Viticultural Areas (AVA), Moon Mountain District of Sonoma County. This striking region is lauded for its high-elevation vineyards and rugged, volcanic soil. Rising from 400 to 2200 feet on the western side of the Mayacamas, the Moon Mountain District has thin, fast-draining soil and hot, dry summer days, ideal conditions to grow deeply colored grapes with intense, concentrated flavors.
Winemaker Notes
The grapes underwent a two-day cold soak to extract optimal color and flavor, and each individual component was fermented separately to optimize structure and tannin integration. Secondary, malolactic fermentation occurred in French oak barrels, 70% new, followed by 15 months of aging before final blending and bottling.
