Winemaker's Cuvée

Country
United States
Region
California - North Coast
Appellation
Alexander Valley
Nature
Wine
Family
Still wine
Colour
Red
Designation
American Viticultural Areas (AVA)
Varietal
Cabernet-sauvignon, Merlot
Winemaking notes
We harvested the fruit at optimal ripeness. Native yeasts were used for primary fermentation while secondary malolactic fermentation occurred naturally in barrel. To preserve the truest expression of the fruit, the wine was gently fined before bottling. This wine was aged sur lie for 15 months in a combination of French and American oak. 30% of the barrels were new and all were coopered using a combination of Medium Plus, Medium Long, and Heavy toast levels to provide better integration and balance.
Viticultural notes
Our Winemaker’s Cuvée is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from the northern tip of the Alexander Valley AVA east of the Russian River. The combination of this warm climate and its alluvial and gravelly loam soil is ideal for creating balanced wines of complexity, concentration, and richness.
Tasting notes
Black cherry, blueberry, and plum are the gateway to a multi-layered palate of dark fruits, vanilla, black currant and the ideal tannin-acid structure on this wine. A supple mouth-feel with velvety tannins and rich flavors linger on the finish of this balanced wine. 94 Points Wine Advocate - The 2016 Winemaker's Cuvée is medium to deep garnet-purple in color and scented of cassis, blackberries and preserved plums with suggestions of cedar chest, wood smoke, dried herbs and tapenade plus a waft of charcoal. Full-bodied with tons of black fruit and wood-inspired flavors, it has a solid line of ripe tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long.
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