2021 Legend of the Ages Reserve

• Varieties:
  38% Cabernet Franc
  30% Syrah
  22% Malbec
  10% Tannat
• Appellation:
  Templeton Gap District - Paso Robles
• Average brix at harvest:
  24.6
• Vineyard:
  Estate
• Alcohol:
  13.7%
• Acidity:
  0.68 g/100 ml
• pH:
  3.39
• Residual sugar:
  0.01 g/100 ml
• Date bottled:
  April 24, 2024
• Cases produced:
  98
• Retail Price:
  $ 75.00

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

Winemaking:
After hand harvesting, the grapes were crushed then innoculated 24-72 hours later with d80 yeast and spent an average of 14 days on the skins prior pressing. Different varietal lots were barrel aged separately for 22 months prior to selecting the final blend. Total barrel aging was 30 months in french and Hungarian oak barrels.

Tasting notes:
Intense, complicated, structured and extravagant. Aromatics emanating from the multi-varietal blending include hints of crushed violet, ripe plum, cherries, bittersweet chocolate intertwined with vanillin from extended barrel aging. Flavors are deep and rich with multiple layers of rich oak. The finish is long and lush with piquant acidity ensuring excellent aging potential.

Cellaring:
While enjoyable currently, this multidimensional reserve blend will continue to improve with proper cellaring for another 8-12 years in the bottle with best drinkability from 2030-2038.

Food selection:
This supple, complex wine will enhance any elegant meat entrees. Our favorites include filet or prime rib as well as more exotic game selections such as bison or elk.