| Vintage: | 2009 |
| Appellation: | Sonoma Valley |
| Acid: | .65 |
| PH: | 3.91 |
| Alcohol %: | 14.5 |
| Tasting Notes: | Our Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is comprised from vineyards seated in rocky soils and surrounded in warmth; these influences encourage deep root growth and complex flavored grapes. The 2009 vintage is chock full of plum, loganberry and black cherry flavors. Hints of tea, cocoa and cassis aromas snare the olfactory while a well supported mid palate gives way to a polished, soft finish. |
| Vineyard Notes: | As seems to be the pattern over the past few years, 2009 was a year of extremes. This vintage also marks the third year in a row of below average rainfall. But a few things define this harvest in particular. First, rains in May took the edge off the drought and were responsible for the beautiful, full-strength photosynthetic canopies we had going into harvest. Second, was the roller coaster weather throughout the summer. We had 10-12 days of cool weather followed by 2-3 days of very warm weather. The heat wasn’t high enough and didn’t last long enough to damage anything, but it gave the grapes a good push towards ripening. Consistently, the cool weather returned and we were back to slow, even ripening. This back and forth seemed to have worked out well for the vintage. Third, flavor development was further ahead in 2009. The heat bumps have brought up the flavors and the cool weather has kept the structure and acid intact. |
| Production Notes: | Grape lots were blended from several benchland and mountain ranches that naturally yield smaller crops and result in intensely colored and flavored wine. Vine canopies were carefully managed to protect the Cabernet from direct sunlight while the fruit was allowed an extended hang time to fully ripen. In the winery we used a variety of techniques to maximize flavor intensity while managing tannin levels including cold soaking, pump over, and varying fermentation lengths and temperatures. The wine was aged in oak for 16 months. |
Our Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is comprised from vineyards seated in rocky soils and surrounded in warmth; these influences encourage deep root growth and complex flavored grapes. The 2009 vintage is chock full of plum, loganberry and black cherry flavors. Hints of tea, cocoa and cassis aromas snare the olfactory while a well supported mid palate gives way to a polished, soft finish.
As seems to be the pattern over the past few years, 2009 was a year of extremes. This vintage also marks the third year in a row of below average rainfall. But a few things define this harvest in particular. First, rains in May took the edge off the drought and were responsible for the beautiful, full-strength photosynthetic canopies we had going into harvest. Second, was the roller coaster weather throughout the summer. We had 10-12 days of cool weather followed by 2-3 days of very warm weather. The heat wasn’t high enough and didn’t last long enough to damage anything, but it gave the grapes a good push towards ripening. Consistently, the cool weather returned and we were back to slow, even ripening. This back and forth seemed to have worked out well for the vintage. Third, flavor development was further ahead in 2009. The heat bumps have brought up the flavors and the cool weather has kept the structure and acid intact.
Grape lots were blended from several benchland and mountain ranches that naturally yield smaller crops and result in intensely colored and flavored wine. Vine canopies were carefully managed to protect the Cabernet from direct sunlight while the fruit was allowed an extended hang time to fully ripen. In the winery we used a variety of techniques to maximize flavor intensity while managing tannin levels including cold soaking, pump over, and varying fermentation lengths and temperatures. The wine was aged in oak for 16 months.
This wine is made from Demeter certified Biodynamic® gapes. The highest form of organic farming in the world, Biodynamics goes beyond the elimination of chemicals to represent a complete and holistic system of agriculture that views the farm as a living organism intimately connected with its environment. Demeter is a third party certifier of traditional Biodynamic practices and the oldest such agency in the United States.
