 2008 Fiddlestix Vineyard
This wine was made exclusively
from clone 667 vines on two different rootstocks in
the Fiddlestix Vineyard. Clusters were small and consisted
of small-to-medium-size berries. The grapes were picked
by hand in the early pre-dawn hours of October 2, 2008.
After destemming, the berries were cold-soaked for
6 days with twice-daily punchdowns, which yielded deeply
colored juice that was then inoculated with Assmanshausen
yeast to accentuate varietal character. Twelve days
later, free-run and press fractions were collected
separately, settled overnight and racked into French
oak: 1/3 new, 1/3 1-to-4 year, and 1/3 neutral barrels.
Full malolactic fermentation was then induced by inoculating
with cultured bacteria. The wine was bottled on June
21, 2010 and held until January 2011 before being released.
It is true to the clonal character of 667, with good
structural balance and nuanced fruitiness that is complemented
by hints of spice and earth.
103 cases produced.
Please
click here for a printable version of these notes.
 2008
Appellation Cuvée
The Sta. Rita Hills Appellation Cuvée
is made exclusively from grapes grown in two Sta. Rita
Hills vineyards, Quinta Santa Rosa (35%) and Fiddlestix
(65%). The clones were 5, 115, 667 and 777, which were
harvested in early October 2008. After cold soaking
for 5-7 days, the must was inoculated with Assmanshausen
yeast. Free-run and press wines were collected and
held separately following a moderately paced fermentation.
After settling to remove gross lees, the wines were
barreled (one-third new, one-third 1-4 year, and one-third
neutral French oak) and inoculated to produce a complete
secondary malolactic fermentation. The wine was held
for a total of 20 months in barrel, with one racking,
before it was bottled June 21, 2010 and held an additional
year prior to its release. 14.1% alcohol.
326 cases produced
Please
click here for a printable version of these notes. |
