Nose
This elegant wine from Larry Hyde’s vineyard intrigues with an aromatic
medley of blueberry, violets, and dried sage.
Palate
The supple and earthy palate gives way to ripe
flavors of blackberry, black cherry and hints of lavender and herbal spices. This richly textured
wine integrates fine, velvety tannins, clean minerality, and balanced acidity that grace the
lingering finish.
Growing Conditions
The 2015 vintage began in late winter due to unseasonably warm temperatures
leading to an early bud break, and thus an elongated growing season. Overall yields were
lighter than average with smaller cluster and berry size as a result of cooler temperatures
during bloom and the third consecutive year of drought. The resultant wines show increased
concentration of flavors with wonderful balance and round textures.
Harvest
Hand-harvested, picked at night
Bottling
Unfined and unfiltered; bottled August 2016.
Winemaking
Hand-sorted while still cold from the field; 5% whole cluster inclusion
Fermented in small, open-top stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts
Spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrel
5-day cold soak, 15 day maceration
Gentle punchdowns and pumpovers
Aging
Aged 11 months in French oak barrels; 63% new.
Coopers: Francois Frères, Cadus, Damy, Louis Latour, Leroi, Remond, Atlier
Appearance
Dense violet in color.