GOLD MEDAL WINNER - Affairs of the Vine 9th Annual Cabernet Shootout
The fruit for this release was sourced from two award winning Napa vineyards, Broken Rock and Reverence Vineyards. Broken Rock is located in the Soda Canyon area at the base of Atlas Peak. The site consistently produces wines with concentrated flavors and superb aromatics. Reverence sits in the Coombsville AVA where the cool coastal breezes and frequent fog create a microclimate ideal for the classic cabernet acid/tannin profile.
The wine was aged for two years in neutral oak. While some of the 2010 fruit was used in our blended wines, we selected the best barrels for this Reserve. This took some long, rigorous tasting sessions but we were willing to make the sacrifice…
The Sangiovese grape’s tart acidity makes it ideal for pairing with a wide range of foods from grilled meats and roasted game to pasta with tomato based sauces and stronger flavored cheeses. The sour cherry backbone of the Hidden Valley fruit is tempered by softer notes of violet and plum, giving the wine both structure and balance. We allowed the wine to age in bottle for an additional 15 months before release, allowing it’s complex flavors to fully develop.
DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNER, 92 Points - Affairs of the Vine 2013 Rhone Shootout, San Francisco CA
We had a dreamy ferment using D80 yeast. Fermentation was slow in the start allowing us to develop lots of glycerol, contributing to the glorious mouth-feel. Steady in mid-ferment, so we were able to retain great aromatic elements – cocoa, dried flowers, cassis and clove. The finished wine is deep and complex – earthy with raspberry, cherry and spice notes. Drink now through 2020.
This wine has both brightness and earthy tones amidst the brambly fruit backdrop. Deep, plummy color and floral aromatics. The cooler Westside climate moderated ripeness and gave us grapes that allowed us to produce an "old world" style wine, with balanced fruit and integration. All the classic zinfandel aromas and flavors are present, nuanced by an austerity that is hard to come by in most California Zinfandels.
