Knights Valley Reserve is a barrel selection, a blend of the best vineyard lots in a given vintage. To maintain the unique characteristics of the different lots from varying areas of the vineyard, they are kept separate through vinification and aging, and only the most expressive are selected for this Reserve bottling.
Extended maceration created larger tannins to enhance the lush mouthfeel of the blend and extracted a maximum of color, aromas and flavors. The wines were aged in French Nevers oak barrels (47 percent new) for 19 months, enhancing the rich mouthfeel and structure. A small portion of Malbec and Petit Verdot was also added to add further complexities to this memorable wine.
The 2014 vintage offered an ideal growing season. Although California’s drought brought another dry winter, the growing season started with a warm, dry spring and relatively early bud break. Summer was mild and consistent with even, warm temperatures throughout. Knights Valley often sees greater fluctuation in temperature than Napa Valley, with intensely warm days that cool off dramatically in the evening. The 2014 growing season was very even with no brutal heat spikes. Warm days with plenty of sunshine and cool evenings allowed for excellent ripening, phenolic and flavor development in the grapes.
