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 for a hot extraction on the skins. The juice was then pumped over the skins twice per day, wetting the cap evenly for a nice healthy fermentation. The 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 an Ermitage medium plus toast and Baron Culte medium long toast, exhibiting the perfect tension between the wine and barrel toasting regime. The final blend is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc. The wine was bottled after 26 months in barrel and was unfined and unfiltered.
THE VINTAGEThe 2021 vintage was considered a drought year, which is typically excellent quality for wines. The season started off with bud break in early March, allowing for a perfect flowering and set for the grape clusters. Summer was quite warm and long, leading into an early Autumn harvest season. Lower yields in the vineyard gave a perfect concentration for juice versus skin ratio. The consistent summer weather encouraged our grapes from our Fawn Park, Millennium MM and Winery Estate vineyards to ripen in late September to finish the harvest season.
WINE FACTSWinemaker: Jason Moulton Appellation: Napa ValleyBlend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec and 2% Cabernet FrancAlcohol: 14.9%
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