Palate
The initial aromas of cacao, chili, and sage give way to savory spice and
oak. This multi-layered wine, from an intensely dry growing season,
bursts with ripe plums that finish with mouthwatering black cherries
mingled with shaved cedar and sandalwood. Pair with cedar planked
salmon with sage red wine sauce, roast fowl, or root vegetable stew.
Growing Conditions
On the heels of an unseasonably mild winter, a late frost kicked off the 2016
growing season in the Fingerlakes. This caused some stress in the form of bud
loss, but as late spring moved into summer we saw what was to become one of
the most intense droughts ever seen in this region. High heat, sun filled skies,
and virtually no rain whatsoever, for all intents and purposes, eradicated any
disease pressure while forcing the root systems of our mature vines ever deeper
into more nutrient rich soil and concentrating deep, rich and intense flavor in
the fruit. Early fall was equally dry and harvest kicked off with a bang. Moisture
did arrive toward the end of the season, bringing the fruit to beautiful maturity.
All in all 2016 resulted in smaller than average yields, but quality was
absolutely, mouth-wateringly, phenomenal! We look forward with eager hearts
and taste buds to enjoy the results of the 2016 growing season
Bottling
Bottling Date: 8/16/17
Aging
Aged for 9 months in a combination of 12.5% new French, 31% 1 year old
French & neutral oak barrels.
