Palate
This Cabernet Sauvignon – Merlot blend made from favorite Candy Mountain Vineyard blocks, shows seductive nuances of cassis, blackberry, coffee, German chocolate, cigar box, and leather leading to a beautifully structured, lengthy finish.
Growing Conditions
The 2014 vintage was a repeat of the warm 2013 vintage with heat units nearly identical, and no unusual winter frost, pest, or disease pressure. Bud break was early, followed by a warm spring and relatively early bloom. Fruit set was near ideal. Slowing tactics were implemented such as delayed thinning and leafing to delay veraison and ultimately harvest. Temperatures cooled mid-August stretching out the hang-time to complete veraison. Berry size and berry count per cluster were slightly up resulting in healthy crop yields. Modest fall day-time temperatures and cool nights resulted in a rich and vibrant structure with bold color development. Overall warmer conditions delivered ample sugars and surprisingly strong acids, particularly in our higher elevation sites.
Aging
The wine was cleanly racked to 100% small French oak barrels, 35% new, with four rackings over 22 months.
