Nose
Introduced to the nose with seductive dark fruit and aromas of blackberry, fresh fig, and licorice, this wine is rich in complexities. Fresh notes of Bing cherry and violet also surface as the wine breathes.
Palate
Framed by a firm structure and silky elegance, the persisting texture defines what makes this wine the Reserve Speciale. The power behind this wine ingratiates itself to the entire palate—dark chocolate and nutmeg outline baking spices and plum. And a lingering finish will carry on long afterward. The long barrel aging and year in bottle before release guarantee its readiness to drink. However, those that hold onto it will be rewarded, with an aging potential of 20+ years.
Growing Conditions
We crafted our 2014 Réserve Spéciale from the finest vineyard sources in Sonoma County. The majority of the fruit came from the Sonoma Valley AVA, where low-yielding, rocky growing sites bring balance and elegance to this very complex wine. A small percentage of fruit from Knights Valley AVA offer the wine a darker aromatic profile and fuller tannin profile. 4% Sonoma Valley, 25% Sonoma County, 21% Knights Valley
Harvest
Vineyards: 39% Smothers-Remick Ridge, 25% Coyote, 20% Knights Cross, 14% Sellitto
Winemaking
Fermented in Stainless Steel, 100% ML.
Aging
Aged for 24 months in predominately French oak (53% new barrels, 47% seasoned). The best Cabernet lots of the vintage were barrel selected then these specific barrels pulled to blend and returned to the original barrels for an additional six months for a total of 32 months of aging.
