Winemaker Notes

A bright brilliant yellow straw color. Enticing aromatics of honeysuckle and citrus blossom combined with yellow pear, golden delicious apple, tangerine, guava intertwined with flinty minerality. The broad flavors of yellow pear, guava, lemon verbena, orange curd and lemon zest of brightness giving focus and length across the palate.

Climate and Harvest

2017 began with a wet winter leading to flooding while prolonging spring. Cool temperatures stretched into April, but by mid-May the sun shone on the vines. Flowering began about three weeks later than the last few vintages. Bloom conditions were normal with an average-sized crop. Clusters grew evenly into June, when fruit set began. Three heat spikes during summer went above 100° degrees. Due to intense heat, metabolism slowed with smaller clusters overall. Leafing was crucial to allow more sunlight. August cooled, with ideal foggy mornings and night temperatures dipping into the mid-50s. Heat returned in September for one more week on vine.

Our intention is to reveal the tremendous character of our land and soils thru careful clonal selection. Night harvesting began at midnight pre-fermentation maturations occurred 24-hours in stainless allow skin contact for gentle tannins and mineral richness, whole cluster pressing. Inoculation occurred with slow fermenting yeast. Ten months in French barriques of 9% new for sophisticated oak elegance, sur lie aging for texture alongside balance, weight and sophisticated aromatics. Cellar aged for 20 months upon release.