AVAILABLE FOR MEMBERS & AT WINERY ONLY
HARVESTED: October 9, 2012
VINEYARD LOCATION: In Saratoga, off the historic Mount Eden Road where some of California’s first vines were planted over 100 years ago, set high on a steep southeast facing slope rests the venerable “Lonehawk” vineyard.
SOILS: Deep gravelly loam
BOTTLED: August, 2014
COMPOSITION: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
ALCOHOL: 13.9%, PRODUCTION: 66 cases, WINEMAKER: Colin McNany
VINTAGE NOTES
In our third straight year of a record breaking drought, bud break began early due to the lack of groundwater available for the vines. However, half of our annual rainfall poured down in the spring when the vines needed it the most. This spring saturation aided in moderating vine stress and allowing us to irrigate less and at more critical times throughout the year. High winds during flowering, in combination with drought, reduced the amount of crop / fruit set. However, the rest of the growing season was warm and even, allowing us to carefully harvest at ideal time frames. As yields were slightly down, quality remained incredible, potentially surpassing the last 2 vintages in skin to juice ratio. The August 4th start of harvest in the Santa Cruz Mountains was the earliest in the 70 years of recorded history at Mount Eden.
WINEMAKING NOTES
Lonehawk is our highest-end Cabernet vineyard, as well as the only vineyard designate. The entire lot was destemmed, hand sorted, and tipped into a 3 ton open top stainless steel tank. The fruit was cold soaked for 5 days and then inoculated with the BDX commercial yeast strain. The ferment received a mixture of punchdowns and pumpovers to promote extraction. The wine is kept on skins up to 25 days via extended maceration. Aged in a mix of 25% new American and French oak for 22 months with 100% native malolactic fermentation. Racked once to tank, gravity feed to bottle.
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TASTING NOTES
Fresh cranberries, dried lavender, juniper spice and cigar box give way to a briny mouthfeel with firm dusty tannins.
CELLARING
Enjoy between now and 10 years.