2018 Portfolio, Limited Edition
Vintage Note
2018 was a unique vintage with the weather from veraison to harvest nothing less than perfect. There were no heat spikes, only even, moderate weather. Absent of challenges, there was a lot of synergy in both growing season and wines. Mother Nature let the winemakers walk at their pace in the vineyards, slow and easy.
Tasting Note
Aroma of blackberries, ripe dark cherries and plum laced with black licorice and sweet oak. Very evocative nose. On the palate, a savory, lush mouthfeel with juicy dark red fruit, wonderfully long, delicious and persistent finish. Good structure with fresh and supple tannins, dense and velvety. The 2018 has the finesse and the elegance of the vintage. Best from 2024 to 2040
Winemaking Note
Composition: Cabernet Sauvignon 81%, Cabernet Franc 19%
Fruit Sources: Hendry Ranch block 8 and Detert East
Age of Vines: CS 44 years and CF 39 years
Date of Harvest: September 28 and October 13
Fermentation: Fermented in 1-ton bin
Winemaking: No pump, no fining, no filtration, natural gravity flow
Skin Contact: 30 days
Malolactic Fermentation: In barrels
Barrel Aging: 28 months in 100% New French Oak
Accolade
Wine Spectator
94 points
"A restrained style, with a large core of warmed cassis and plum puree moving slowly and steadily, letting in flashes of violet, smoldering tobacco and warm humus along the way. Reveals tobacco and warm paving stone notes that echo through the broad, yet fine-grained and well-defined finish, which has a lingering echo of purity. Lovely. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2024 through 2038. 200 cases made."
- James Molesworth