Palate
Racy exotic aromas with layers of peppercorn, floral rosemary, fresh herbs, and chewy “Italian-like” tannins. Patience will
continue to reward those who can wait as the palate gradually becomes more and more opulent.
Growing Conditions
This harvest was one of the earliest on record in Napa Valley. The season started out with unseasonably warm temperatures
in the late winter and early spring, resulting in an early bud break and bloom. Cool temperatures in May during flowering
caused uneven fruit set which handed out a much smaller crop in 2015. Heat and rain drove a fast and furious harvest in our
vineyards and even though the yields were low, the concentration of flavors was phenomenal.
Harvest
The grapes were harvested throughout the month of October.
Bottling
Bottled: January 27th, 2017
Winemaking
All fermentations were conducted in small, two ton fermenters
filled by gravity. Two thirds of the grapes were destemmed, and the rest were fermented as whole clusters. A five day cold
soak period preceded a warm fermentation peaking at 90°F. The fermenters were punched 3 to 4 times a day during the
fermentation period. After fermentation was complete, the grapes were kept in contact with the wine for a variable number
of days, depending on how the wine tasted, to extract the best tannins from the fruit and avoid the harsher, late-extracted
tannins.
Aging
14 months in 50% new French oak
