Nose
Alluring and aromatic, this wine’s aromas of huckleberry, wild blackberry, and blue plum invite attention from the first swirl. Finely woven into the core of fruit are notions of bay leaf, juniper berry, and cedar leaf, creating a wonderfully complex bouquet that is equal parts sweet and savory.
Palate
On the palate, hints of violet and potpourri accentuate the floral theme, while bright acid and mouth-filling tannins create a sensation of energy and richness. Plush, nuanced, and velvety, it delivers serious weight and structure that will reward long-term cellaring.
Growing Conditions
The 2018 growing season produced one of the finest vintages of the past decade. After a warm spring that resulted in an early bud break, the early summer weather turned somewhat cool ensuring slow, gentle ripening of the fruit. A perfectly timed return to warm weather in July and August spurred a final push towards ripeness.
Harvest
As we began preparing for harvest, the days were cool and rain-free, allowing us to pick each vineyard and block exactly when we wished. The resulting wines are dark and generous, balancing supple, polished textures with age-worthy structures that underscore the lush intensity of the dark-berried fruit flavors.
Aging
The blend was assembled after completion of malolactic fermentation and racked twice in total during its 17 months of aging. The Grenache and Mourvèdre were fermented in small, open-top bins, with daily punch-downs. Syrah was fermented in tank, with cap mixing via pump-over and occasional punch-down. The Syrah and Grenache were blended immediately after pressing, to capture darker pigment, while Mourvèdre was blended later, for savory complexity.
