2011 Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon

2011 Vintage Notes

2011 was a difficult growing year and vineyard management included an atypically severe green drop and leaf removal and many passes to remove diseased berries and clusters.  We waited and waited for flavors to develop, and, at long last, the humidity dropped, the flavors peaked and we harvested a hard-won crop of richly developed Cabernet Sauvignon.

2011 Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes

At first pour, the wine shouts "cassis!", the aroma of which is enrobed in clove, anise seed and molasses.  Hardly a one-note wonder, the aroma and flavors unfold with layers of cassis, black raspberry, blackberry preserves, and plum, followed with hints of tar and pipe tobacco.  The palate is powerful and intense, yet edgeless, crammed full of ripe fruit, with tannins desceptionevely smooth and soft as velvet.  It is delicious now, and perhaps best enjoyed over the next five or so years.

• Harvest Date: November 3rd
• Brix 25.8
• pH 3.88
• 52 days on the skins from crush to press
• 1 4-day cold soak with daily pumpovers at which point it began a natural fermentation
• 1 12-day fermentation with twice daily aerative pumpovers
• Extended maceration for an additional 36 days on the skins
• Aged for 18 months in 100% French Oak, 85% new
• Bottled:  August 9th, 201