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Wine Information
Estate-farmed vineyard in southernmost Alexander Valley.
Blend
84% Zinfandel, 12% Petite Sirah, 2% Carignane, 1% Alicante and 1% Grand Noir
Vintage
Mother Nature challenged us in 2008 with a second year of drought, a hard frost and strong, dry winds during fruit set. All of these factors dropped yields to a third below normal. A late summer heat wave pushed maturity levels, and subsequently, harvest began a week ahead of normal.
Vineyard management
Aggressive hand canopy management is used. All growing points are suckered to two-node spurs, two per location. During the growing season, fruit is removed from weak shoots. Subsequent leafing passes provide an optimum light environment of about 25% filtered light inside the canopy. Green and veraison passes promote uniformity of fruit and ensure even ripening. A touch-up pass immediately prior to harvest removes sun-bleached clusters.
Vinification
Hand punch-down fermentation for 11 days in small (6-ton) open-top, stainless steel fermentors
15 months in French oak (30% new)
Vintage 2008
The year 2008 reminded Napa Valley producers of the climate conditions their European colleagues often battle. The wild weather put the vineyards to the test and required more measures than usual to ensure an optimal harvest. Due to the exceptional weather conditions, the terroir played a significant role in shaping the character of the resulting wines. Some of the influencing factors were soil quality, vineyard-specific weather patterns, the age of vines and the farming methods used
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After the extensive 2008 Napa Cabernet tasting, there were no great qualitative differences, however, as the wines at the tasting all represented some of the best that these top producers have to offer. Although the scores ranged between 86 and 96 points, the differences will even out through longer ageing, as the wines will reach their optimum drinkability within 10–15 years. It was wonderful to note that a great deal of the wines were characterised by a seductively succulent fruitiness, which made many of them enjoyable already – more than half of the wines have scored 90 or more points, despite their young age. Whereas the great 2007 vintage contains very refined and long-lived wines, the 2008 wines charmed tasters with their open and generous style, even though their best days are still far in the future.