Winemaker's Notes
Brilliant, dark purple color and intense aromas of black currant and blackberry extract lead to concentrated, beautifully balanced flavors of currant and black raspberry with a very long finish. Alcohol 14.6%
Harvest
Harvest Date
October 17 ? 22, 2001
Harvest Brix
25.7°
Growing Season
Diligent work in the vineyard to limit a large crop set helped optimize flavor intensity and richness in the grapes. Cool weather in late September and October extended the harvest providing for enhanced flavor development.
Winemaking
Hand-harvested grapes
Fermented in small, closed-top stainless steel fermentors with indigenous yeast; 6 months to completion
5-day cold maceration, 12 days total maceration
Spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrels; 5 months to completion
Aged 20 months in Demptos and Taransaud French oak barrels; 44 % new
Unblended, Unfined and unfiltered; bottled June 2002
