harvest note

2007 was a great vintage. The dry winter, notable for a lack of rain and snow, was unseasonably warm, which brought advanced vegetative growth by the end of April. At the end of May, blooming was complete and June brought rain, storms and some hail. The uneven climate conditions caused lighter production in some parcels, and in mid-July the vineyards were stressed by extreme heat. Bunch thinning eliminated damaged fruit and left the right amount of grapes for optimal maturation. From Sept. 10-Oct. 9, each parcel was harvested methodically, dictated by location and ripeness, and the grapes showed outstanding phenolic and aromatic maturity. Scant rain at the end of September didn’t hurt the grapes, which were excellent, healthy and balanced. The wines showed a good color index and good dry extract, which speaks to their consistency and body. The acidity levels are normal and the tannins are not excessively aggressive. 2007 will be remembered as one of the best vintages of the past several years.

tasting note

The wine has a deep, ruby-red color and intense, complex aromas of red fruits and spices, with toasty oak notes. On the palate, the wine has a silky texture, great finesse and profound flavors framed by noble, velvety tannins. Though impressive now, this wine will benefit from aging.

food pairing

Pair with thick porterhouse steak or rich fish such as sturgeon or grouper.