2018 Estate "Contemplations"

Tannat based blend

• Varieties:
  40% Tannat
  25% Merlot
  20% Malbec
  15% Syrah
• Appellation:
  Paso Robles - Templeton Gap District
• Average brix at harvest:
  25.1
• Vineyard:
  Estate
• Alcohol:
  13.8%
• Acidity:
  0.66 g/100 ml
• pH:
  3.52
• Residual sugar:
  0.02g/100ml
• Date bottled:
  September 11, 2020
• Cases produced:
  97
• Retail Price:
  $ 30.00

Growing conditions:
Late winter rainfall (all in March), light frost (whites) and cool spring/early summer produced great fruit set. Judicious thinning and warm days lasting into October led to ans outstanding late harvest with excellent quality and yields.

Winemaking:
The grapes were hand harvested, then crushed into stainless fermentors. 24 hours later the must was inoculated with D254 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 20 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 2024-2030.

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