2021 Estate Contemplations

Tannat based blend

• Varieties:
  48% Tannat
  30% Merlot
  22% Syrah
  
• Appellation:
  Paso Robles - Templeton Gap District
• Average brix at harvest:
  24.8
• Vineyard:
  Estate
• Alcohol:
  13.7%
• Acidity:
  0.71 g/100 ml
• pH:
  3.38
• Residual sugar:
  0.02g/100ml
• Date bottled:
  April 24, 2024
• Cases produced:
  112
• Retail Price:
  $ 36.00

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 the earliest finish to harvest at Victor Hugo ever, with a smaller harvest with excellent quality.

Winemaking:
The grapes were hand harvested, then crushed into stainless fermentors. 24 hours later the must was inoculated with D80 yeast then pumped over daily for an average of 15 days prior to pressing. After completion of malolactic fermentaion, this proprietary blend was aged for 24 months in French and Hungarian oak prior to bottling.

Tasting notes:
This tannat based blend provides a multi-varietal blend is intense and complex and rich. Hint of blueberries and cherries with dark chocolate. Flavors are deep and rich with assertive tannins, rich fruit and toasty oak with excellent aging potential.

Cellaring:
While enjoyable currently, this multidimensional tannat based blend will continue to improve with proper cellaring for another 7-12 years in the bottle with best drinkability from 2028-2036.

Food selection:
This complex assertive wine will enhance a variety of beef dishes, venison, lamb shank as well as spicy dishes.