Vinification notes: The three varietals were destemmed and crushed separately at optimal ripeness. The fruit was fermented in tank with pumpovers being performed twice daily. The wine was pressed at dryness after an average of 15 days of primary fermentation.
Sensory Notes: This unique blend deliciously combines the juicy ripeness of zinfandel with the sturdy complexity of cabernet sauvignon. An enticing bouquet of dried cherries, cedar and white pepper leads into an elegantly smooth-textured wine. Flavors of dark plum, vanilla oak and earthy spice dominate the palate, exhibiting the sturdy yet gentle tannin structure that makes the Cuvée a wonderfully versatile food wine. This wine will cellar well until 2014.
Vineyard Notes:
The wine is comprised of fruit from our Big River Ranch in the Alexander Valley and our Lily Hill Estate property in Dry Creek. Our old vine zinfandel and top notch cabernet is combined with petite verdot and blocks are hand-selected to make this complex and hearty blend. The jammy fruit of the zinfandel, dark spice of the cabernet and the silky texture of petite verdot are all recognizable in this exquisite wine.
Vintage Synopsis: 2006 was a challenging but rewarding harvest season. Cooler temperatures made for a prolonged harvest that allowed the grapes to develop deep, rich flavor and color. The brief threat of rain in early October put us on the alert, but with some moderate thinning and cluster sorting, we achieved an excellent vintage.
Strictly limited production. Only 362 cases produced.