2020 Estate Petit Verdot

• Varieties:
  100% Petit Verdot
• Appellation:
  Paso Robles -Templeton Gap
• Average brix at harvest:
  24.8
• Vineyard:
  Estate
• Alcohol:
  14.2%
• Acidity:
  0.66g/100ml
• pH:
  3.64
• Residual sugar:
  0.02 g/100ml
• Date bottled:
  March 24, 2023
• Cases produced:
  48
• Retail Price:
  $ 32.00

Growing conditions:
Minimal winter rainfall until a wet March averted an extreme drought. No frost events but windy conditions during bloom led to a smaller fruit set. The lighter crop coupled with a long warm summer led to an outstanding earlier, small harvest with excellent quality.

Winemaking:
The grapes were hand harvested, then crushed into the rotary fermentor. 24 hours later, the must was inoculated with D254 yeast then rotated hourly for 10 days prior to pressing. After completion of malo-lactic fermentation, the Petit Verdot was aged in French and Hungarian oak for 20 months prior to bottling.

Tasting notes:
Intense aromas of crushed violets and unsweetened chocolate with wisps of exotic floral notes are complimented by a background of subtle oak. This wine is a mouthful with an elegant sufficiency of tannins and toasty oak followed by an extended, rich finish.

Cellaring:
While enjoyable now, this intense Petit Verdot will continue to improve with proper cellaring for another 5-10 years in the bottle with a plateau of best drinkability from 2027-2034.

Food selection:
Best match for filet and rich sauces! This elegant wine will compliment a large array of foods and aged cheeses.