91 Points Wine Spectator
Finley textured, with a lilting Asian spice overlay to the dark currant and dried blackberry flavors. Savory and piney notes show on the finish. Drink now through 2021.
Bright strawberry and raspberry aroma and flavor with a touch of herba notes and fresh red flowers. Finely textured, with a lilting Asian spice overlay with a hint of currant and dried blackberry flavors. Savory and piney notes show on the finish. Pairs well with roasted duck.
Winemaker / proprietor Tim Slater recalls the vintage’s harvest and cellar regimen: “2015 was a fairly cool year. With the long drought ending and plenty of water, we worked hard to control vigor and keep the vines focused on the fruit. We aggressively managed the canopy and dropped fruit to an average 24 clusters per vine. The result was a 25% reduction in yield. Harvest was cool with strong ocean winds moderating the temperatures and extending the hang time about one week later than normal; harvest took place from the 8th to 14th of September.”
“We gently destemmed whole berries into small fermentors, cold soaked for three days, allowed a robust native fermentation, then inoculated with RC212 yeast. Hand punch downs occurred three times daily. The wine was pressed off the skins when the residual sugar was below 20 g/l and fermentation was completed in barrel. The cooperage used was François Frères and Vallaurine, 33% being new oak with the balance in one and two year-old barrels; barrel maturation proceeded for 18 months. The wine was bottled and hand-waxed in March, 2017."
Clones: 667 and 777 with 115 and “Samsonite Chambertin”
Appellation: Santa Clara Valley
Vineyard: Sarah's Estate
Grower: Tim Slater
Harvest Date: September 8 - 14, 2015
Alcohol: 13.6%
Cooperage: French oak, 33% new, 18 months
Bottling Date: March 2017
Production: 160
