Nose
Aromas of burgundy petal petunias, flourless chocolate cake with fresh blackberries and mesquite smoke.
Palate
Plush and dark with light French oak notes, medium rare prime rib, caramel cold brew, huckleberry syrup and lush tannins on an undeviating finish.
Growing Conditions
Ciel du Cheval Vineyard located in the Red Mountain Appellation was the first vineyard planted on Red Mountain in 1972. Owner Jim Holmes farms the vineyard on this revered site and credits the success of Ciel du Cheval, to “dirt and climate, climate and dirt.”
Winemaking
Crushed gently and dropped by gravity into 1.5 ton bins, cold soaked 48 hours, inoculated with a variety of yeasts, hand punched and pressed directly to barrel, where the wine finished both primary and secondary fermentations. The varietals were kept individual until blending at 12 months to create the Vineyard Reserve blend.
