2021 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Estate Grown

• Varieties:
  100% Cabernet Sauvignon
  
• Appellation:
  Templeton Gap District - Paso Robles
• Average brix at harvest:
  24.6
• Vineyard:
  Estate
• Alcohol:
  13.8%
• Acidity:
  0.70 g/100ml
• pH:
  3.43
• Residual sugar:
  0.01g/100ml
• Date bottled:
  July 11, 2024
• Cases produced:
  295
• Retail Price:
  $ 32.00

Growing conditions:
Another drought year with 90% of our total rainfall occurring during the last week of January.An unusual frost in late May resulted in a smaller fruit set. The lighter crop coupled with a long warm summer led to earliest finish to harvest at Victor Hugo, with a smaller harvest with excellent quality.

Winemaking:
The grapes were hand harvested, then crushed into a stainless rotary fermentor. 48 hours later, the must was inoculated with D-80 yeast then rotated hourly for 12 days prior to pressing. After completion of malo-lactic fermentation, this cabernet sauvignon was aged for 27 months in French and Hungarian oak prior to bottling.

Tasting notes:
Intense aromas of red plum, black cherry and dark chocolate with wisps of cinnamon are complimented by a background of subtle oak. Rich flavors with layers of large, soft tannins interlocking with complex oak tannins for a long, elegant finish.

Cellaring:
While enjoyable now, this Cabernet Sauvignon will continue to improve with proper cellaring for another 4-8 years in the bottle with a plateau of best drinkability from 2029-2038.

Food selection:
This elegant wine will compliment a large array of food dishes but is best with filet, pork loin, and chocolate desserts.