Nose
This wine invites with seductive aromatics of lavender, dried herbs, black cherry and
cassis.
Palate
The palate is vibrant with finely sculpted layers of dark chocolate and blackberry tart
interwoven with moist earth and crushed granite. Bold, chewy tannins and balanced acidity
complete this wine that offers focus, complexity and powerful structure.
Growing Conditions
2014 was the third straight outstanding growing season in a row, following the
excellent 2012 and 2013 vintages. Dry winter and spring conditions limited canopy vigor, and a
warm growing season with a lack of extreme heat spikes resulted in prolonged, even ripening
through harvest. The resulting wines possess great site specificity, depth and quality.
Harvest
Hand-harvested, picked at night.
Bottling
Unfined and unfiltered; bottled June 2016.
Winemaking
Hand-sorted while still cold from the field
Fermented in small, closed top, stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts
6-day cold soak, 29 days total maceration
Spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrels
Gentle pumpovers and delestage
Aging
Aged 20 months in French oak barrels; 100% new.
Coopers: Taransaud, Baron, Darnajou, Radoux
Appearance
An inky black color with a vivid
purple rim.