Growing Conditions
After three years of plentiful harvests, California's water shortage finally caught up with our Napa Valley's vines. After three banner years in terms of both high yield and high quality, we knew we were looking at a much smaller crop.
Ripening was helped by a warm summer with almost no rain. Picking began in early August in some areas. All of Amici’s vineyards were picked by late October. We started picking a couple of days earlier than last year, but four separate heat spikes fueled a very compact three-week Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietal harvest. Ripeness was hitting its peak in a lot of vineyard blocks very close together. Because of the drought, the berries were smaller and just packed with color, flavor and great tannin.
Early, small, but very good was the theme of the 2015 vintage.
Winemaking
Aromas of warm apricot and peach cobbler, honeyed brioche, and lemon drop. A rich oily palate with crème brulee, marzipan and baked apple, leading to a finish of Meyer lemon rind, thyme and a framing of juicy mineral driven acidity.
100% Chardonnay, Clone 4, 30 + years old
Aging
100% Barrel Fermentation, Full Malolactic; 100% French Oak; 40% New
