Nose
Black cherry, licorice, black sage and crushed asphalt on the nose.
Palate
Lush tones of black cherry and creamy caramel also show on the sip, but there is earthy minerality, roasted meat umami tones and vibrant spearmint touches as well.
Growing Conditions
The iconic Clos Pepe vineyard is situated in a cool enclave within the Sta. Rita Hills. The prevailing winds coming from the Pacific slow the ripening of these vines, allowing for saturated flavors to accumulate throughout the decidedly long growing season. Central Coast AVA roughly 250 miles along the coastline of California from Santa Barbara County to San Francisco County. Sta. Rita Hills follows a clearly defined maritime “throat” that ushers in the Pacific fog and constant cooling breezes. Sandy Loam Soils cause vines to produce grapes with powerful varietal character.
Harvest
The 2015 growing season in Anderson Valley was characterized by early bud break and a quick harvest. Early spring was unusually warm, however temperatures dropped in May causing ripening to slow, this allowed for flavor development and higher acidity. Yields were lower but the small berries and shatter that characterized this vintage resulted in impressive quality in the bottle.
Aging
10 Months in 50% New French Oak.
Appearance
Dark as night in the glass.
