Nose
Characteristically bright and fruit-forward, our 2014 Rubáiyat couples fresh, vibrant aromas of black cherry, raspberry, strawberry and blueberry
Palate
rich, ripe flavors of black raspberry, blackberry and dark plum that are accented in the wine’s long finish by lively acidity, supple tannins and a savory anise spice tone.
Growing Conditions
2014 was another in a series of outstanding vintages in Northern California. A warm, dry spring initiated early budbreak and prefaced a consistently mild summer characterized by chilly mornings, warm afternoons and cool evenings. These conditions yielded grapes with an ideal balance of ripe fruit flavors and bright acidity. The fruit for the 2014 Rubáiyat was harvested between September 6th and 30th.
Winemaking
Rubáiyat is a case study in the art of blending. Each year, our longtime winemaker, Julianne Laks, blends multiple, small lots (10 in 2014) of red wine to create a smooth and robustly fruity red that beautifully accompanies a broad range of casual meals. Each lot is hand-harvested at night to preserve freshness and fruit purity and fermented in small, open-top, stainless steel tanks, using manual punchdowns to gently macerate the juice and skins and extract optimal color and flavor. The 2014 Rubáiyat aged for a total of 11 months in French oak barrels, 38% new, with the component wines blended shortly before bottling to fully capture the wine’s ripe, fruit-forward aromas, lush, juicy flavors and supple tannins.
Aging
11 months in French oak barrels, 38% new
Food Pairing
grilled burgers, steaks and sausages, barbecued ribs and chicken, and rich, tomato-based pastas.
