2022 Estate Hunchback

Red Table Blend

• Varieties:
  45% Merlot
  35% Petit Verdot
  20%% Tannat
  
  
  
• Appellation:
  Paso Robles -Templeton Gap
• Average brix at harvest:
  24.1
• Vineyard:
  Estate
• Alcohol:
  13.5%
• Acidity:
  0.64 g/100 ml
• pH:
  3.40
• Residual sugar:
  0.02g/100ml
• Date bottled:
  February 18, 2025
• Cases produced:
  391
• Retail Price:
  $ 24.00

Growing conditions:
Another drought year with our total rainfall reaching only 50% of normal. the moderate crop coupled with an extreme warm spell in the last half of August led to a divided harvest, some in early September with the balance in late October & early November yielding a moderate harvest with excellent quality.

Winemaking:
After hand harvesting, the grapes were crushed then inoculated 24 hours later with FX-10 yeast and spent an average of 14 days on the skins prior pressing. Different varietal lots were barrel aged separately for 15 months in seasoned French, American, and Hungarian oak barrels then blended and bottled after 4 more months in barrels.

Tasting notes:
Delicious! Complex, inviting aromas are created by multi-varietal blending. Hints of violets, wild strawberries are intertwined with subtle oak. Flavors are extended and rich with layers of round, rich tannins coupled with hints of oak. The finish is rich and lasting which enables additional aging.

Cellaring:
While enjoyable currently, this supple red blend will continue to improve with proper cellaring for another 3-6 years in the bottle with a plateau of best drinkability from 2027-2032.

Food selection:
This rich, layered wine will enhance hearty beef dishes, ripe cheeses as well as pastas with spicy sauces.