Growing Conditions

The 2021 vintage came after a chilly, relatively dry winter, with the exception of a single storm that dropped more than a foot of rain in late January. The cold, dry winter produced a fruit set with small clusters and smaller than normal berries. Yields were down about 25% compared to our average. The growing season was ideal, with each hot stretch followed by a cool period that allowed the vines to recover. That, combined with the low yields, produced
some of our most intense fruit ever along with some of the highest average acids since the chilly 2011 vintage. We believe that 2021 has all the hallmarks of a blockbuster year.

Winemaking

Lightly pressed into a new Hungarian 1200 liter foudre for native yeast fermentation. Batonage (lees stirring) several times a week for texture and allowed to complete natural malolactic fermentation in barrel. Aged for 22 months.