2023 Estate Petit Verdot

• Varieties:
  100% Petit Verdot
• Appellation:
  Paso Robles -Templeton Gap
• Average brix at harvest:
  25.5
• Vineyard:
  Estate
• Alcohol:
  14.7%
• Acidity:
  0.69g/100ml
• pH:
  3.64
• Residual sugar:
  0.01 g/100ml
• Date bottled:
  February 04, 2026
• Cases produced:
  126

Growing conditions:
Finally! Mother nature ended the drought with 200% of normal rainfall combined with a cool spring and warm (not hot) summer led to the latest harvest ever at Victor Hugo! Judicious thinning allowed the grapes to be harvested at optimum maturity producing beautiful wines.

Winemaking:
The grapes were hand harvested, then crushed into a stainless steel fermentor. 48 hours later, the must was inoculated with D254 yeast then pumped over twice daily for 15 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 2030-2036.

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