2016 Estate "Opulence"

Elegant Bordeaux Blend

• Varieties:
  33% Merlot
  25% Cab Sauvignon
  18% Cab Franc
  16% Malbec
  8% Petit Verdot
• Appellation:
  Paso Robles -Templeton Gap
• Average brix at harvest:
  24.9
• Vineyard:
  Estate
• Alcohol:
  13.4%
• Acidity:
  0.70 g/100ml
• pH:
  3.54
• Residual sugar:
  0.02g/100ml
• Date bottled:
  March 29, 2019
• Cases produced:
  294
• Retail Price:
  $ 32.00

Growing conditions:
Winter rainfall improved but 2016 featured another early budbreak and horrific frost in late March with whites and early reds losing significant crop resulting in an early, smaller harvest with excellent quality due to miniscule crop from on-going drought and frost.

Winemaking:
After hand harvesting, the grapes were crushed then innoculated 24 hours later with FX-10 yeast and spent an average of 16 days on the skins prior to pressing, Different varietal lots were barrel aged separately for 20 months prior to selecting the final blend. Total barrel aging was 27 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels.

Tasting notes:
Intense, complicated, and rich. Aromatics emanating from the multi-varietal blending include hints of black cherries, dark chocolate, and violet are intertwined with spicy oak. Flavors are deep and rich with layers of pleasantly assertive tannins, rich fruit and toasty oak. The finish is lush with piquant acidity ensuring excellent aging potential.

Cellaring:
While enjoyable currently, this multidimensional Bordeaux blend will continue to improve with proper cellaring for another 6-10 years in the bottle with a plateau of best drinkability from 2022-2028.

Food selection:
This supple, complex wine will enhance elegant beef selections such as filet or prime rib as well as more
exotic game selections.