Nose

From its notes of blue plum, black cherry and baker’s cocoa to its cardamom and clove accents, this wine is intensely aromatic and alluring. The first sip is juicy and expansive, exuding an old-school rustic charm, with spicy tannins and notes of tobacco leaf, cedar and star anise.

Palate

On the palate, layers of brambly fruit and vanilla provide a sweetening counterpoint to the savory core of this powerful and elegant wine.

Harvest

A cold winter resulted in a later start to the season, with budbreak in late April and bloom in early June. The cool weather continued into spring, resulting in slow and measured growth and a smaller-than-average crop. Temperatures warmed up beautifully in summer, but with no significant heat events the fruit was able to ripen at an ideal pace. The perfect conditions continued into fall, providing abundant hangtime. With lower yields, the 2017 wines have incredible concentration and unusually plush tannins. At the same time, the smaller crop resulted in excellent natural acidity, producing wines with grace and vibrant freshness.