The Cabernet Franc is from our main estate, Clone ‘X’, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley (44%). The Merlot comes from the Knollwood Vineyard, Clone 181, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley (38%). The Cabernet Sauvignon is from the State Lane Vineyard - Yountville, Napa Valley (14%) and the Tietjen Vineyard - Rutherford, Napa Valley (2%) and the Yewell Vineyard - St Helena, Napa Valley (2%).

The lots used in this wine were all picked, crushed, fermented and aged separately for the first year. After 12 months in barrels, we began to assemble the cuvee in broad strokes. At each racking cycle (every 3-4 months) we would further blend the wine towards the finished cuvee. The final and finishing touches were blended prior to bottling after 30 months in French oak barrels. I enjoy this method of slow-blending over the course of a year or so, when we are assembling blends from many different components, as it allows each blending cycle some time to marry prior to the next.

Oak – 30 Months in French Oak