Palate
The 2017 is brighter and less brooding than typical Kronos vintages in their youth, with luscious, juicy cassis, luxardo cherry, blueberry and raspberry fruit. Signature blackberry pie flavors, complete with baking spices, proclaim a sense of place. Approachable now, the tannins provide a velvet grip. Grace notes include toasted almonds and hints of peppermint. Firm acidity and mineral verve keep it lively. Violets and dried rose petals are already perfuming the aromas.
Growing Conditions
Abundant winter rains got 2017 off to a great start, breaking the drought. July and August were unseasonably cool, perfect for color and flavor development and the retention of terrific natural acidity. Then as harvest began, heat in early September turned the vintage into a sprint, with the entire harvest picked over nine consecutive days. We are grateful that all our grapes were in weeks before the fires, fermented and resting safely in barrels.
