WINEMAKER NOTESUpon hand harvesting in the early morning hours, our grapes were carefully destemmed and sent to tank for a whole-berry fermentation. The grapes were cold-soaked in tank at 45 ̊F for 4-7 days, allowing for increased color, aroma and flavor extraction. After inoculation with a select yeast, the grape must (juice, skins, and seeds) fermented at 82 ̊F, which allowed for a hot extraction on the skins. For fermentation cap management, the juice was pumped over the skins two times per day, wetting the cap evenly for a nice healthy fermentation. After fermentation and pressing, the 2020 vintage wines were aged in 100% new French oak. During assemblage (blending) the best representations of each Bordeaux varietal were selected from the highest quality barrel lots. The final barrel selections were a Nadalie Colbert M+ and Ermitage Troncias M+. Both barrel cooperages exhibited the perfect tension between the wine and barrel toasting regime. The final 2020 I de V blend is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was bottled after 26 months in barrel and was unfined and unfiltered.
THE VINTAGEThe 2020 vintage was along and warm growing season, seasoned by a drought, which can often lead to a fantastic vintage. Bud break began in late March, leading to a Spring that had few showers and was relatively dry. Summer was steady, with heat spikes that pushed the vintage closer and closer. As we headed into Autumn, harvest was upon us quickly and we moved swiftly to bring in all our grapes to process and finish the season.
WINE FACTSWinemaker: Jason Moulton Appellation: Napa ValleyBlend: 100% Cabernet SauvignonAlcohol: 14.9%
