Nose
Our 2011 vintage opens with inviting aromas of dark fruits,
black liquorice, and sassafras.
Palate
Mouthwatering flavors of huckleberry, blackberry, and graham
cracker. Polished tannins and perfect acidity will allow this
wine to age gracefully over the next 8-10 years.
Growing Conditions
At the foot of Mount St. Helena, Calistoga’s warmer climate
and volcanic soils produce wines of unmistakable character.
With a southwestern exposure and deep, established roots that
allow for the use of minimal irrigation, the vines produce
berries that were crafted into a wine with excellent flavor, body
and overall complexity.
2011 was as challenging as it was educational. The
precipitation totals for the season found the region more
than a third above normal in rainfall, and while this was
good news for water resources, the cloud cover and cool
temperatures delayed vine development by several weeks at
the onset of the growing season. Despite this, we found that
the flavors from this vintage developed at lower brix, giving
us the opportunity to make truly elegant wines at lower
alcohol levels.
Winemaking
The grapes were fermented on the skins for 27 days with
pumpovers twice daily.
Aging
After fermentation, the wine was
gently pressed, racked and aged for 18 months in French
oak barrels, 60% new French Oak. Tightly grained, French
oak barrels from forests in the center of France impart their
oak on wines slowly for a consistent, well-rounded aging
process while yielding subtle oak influences to the Cabernet
Sauvignon. The result is a balanced wine that is a true
expression of the varietal and its terroir.
