Palate
Vibrant and deep in color, with a beautiful array of red and dark berries woven around a hint of well-integrated oak spice and refined tannins. Soft and rich on the mid-palate extending through a lengthy finish that leaves an elegant impression.
Growing Conditions
A cool, wet spring delayed bud break by a few weeks, but temperatures warmed nicely for bloom. Conditions moderated in
early summer before warming again in July to drive total heat accumulation a bit above average for the season.
Harvest
Harvest began toward the end of August, then temperatures cooled considerably in mid-September to extend hang time and
allow the grapes to reach full physiological maturity without spiking sugars. The resulting wines are rich and expressive, displaying excellent acidity and structure that is reflective of the quality of the vintage.
Winemaking
Hand-harvested grapes were double-sorted before fermentation to
remove any stems or jacks that might impart harsh tannins, then the majority of the lots were cold-soaked to build richness and flavor before undergoing whole-berry fermentation in 1,500-gallon upright French wood tanks. This, combined with gentle pump-overs throughout fermentation, enhanced the wine’s color and helped to provide richness on the palate. The finished wine was aged 22 months in Sylvain and Millet French oak barrels (86% new), top quality coopers next to Michel Rolland’s hometown of Saint-Émilion.
