- Harvested by hand on September 15 through October 8, 2008
- Vineyards: 42% Wolff Vineyards, 31% Kick On Vineyard, 9% Aubaine Vineyards, 6% Bien Nacido Vineyards,
6% Lewis Vineyard, 3% Stone Corral Vineyard, 2% Chorro Creek, 1% Dante Dusi Vineyard
- Average juice analysis – 24 °Brix, 5.59 T.A., 3.68 pH
- 100% destemmed, and crushed into 5-ton open-top fermentation tanks
- 14 day cuvaison/skin contact;
7 day cold soak @ 57 ºF
7 day fermentation, punched down 3 times per day, peak temperature 82 °F
- Aged in 2, 3 and 4-year old French oak barrels for 11 months
- Racked three times for clarity
- Wine analysis – 14.5% alcohol, 5.7 T.A., 3.68 pH
- Bottled non-fined on August 20, 2009
The grapes for the 2008 Central Coast blend came primarily from Wolff Vineyard in the Edna Valley and Kick On Vineyard in Santa Barbara County. These vineyards lie in valleys which span in an east-west orientation and are open to the Pacific Ocean to the west. We are fortunate to work with such great vineyards.
The climate is strongly influenced by summertime afternoon cool breezes from the ocean. This part of Southern California is located at 34 degrees latitude and therefore receives a lot of intense sunlight from a “directly overhead” sun. 2008 was indeed a year of extremes on the Central Coast. There was spring frost, a short period in June when temperatures peaked above 100 °F, while a series of October freezes resulted in all-time lows in San Luis Obispo. This was the second drought year in a row, and there were brush fires throughout California.
The delicate garnet color of this wine belies its intensity and complexity. It has an array of pretty aromas attributed to blending several vineyards from the South Central Coast. The nose presents notes of rose petals, cranberry, raspberry, cocoa, light cedar and cardamom; the textures are silky with fine tannins and bright acidity.
The finish has lingering flavors classically found in Pinot Noir.
2,359 cases produced