Fort Ross – Seaview, Sonoma Coast Mixed Volcanic Soils
Farmed with organic practices
100% Whole Cluster 1 puncheon, 1 barrel produced 13.3% Alc.
Vineyard: 7th Leaf vines at Waterhorse Ridge, planted on a rocky ridge 5 miles from the coast deep in the west Sonoma Coast region of Fort Ross – Seaview.
Winemaking: The grapes were fermented 100% whole cluster and gently foot tread once a day during a 10-day native yeast fermentation. The wine was aged for 11 months in neutral French oak, 1 barrel and 1 x 500L puncheon. The wine was bottled un-fined & unfiltered with nothing added but minimal effective SO2.
Notes: The thing about young vines is they get better every year, but also, they are VERY sensitive to drought. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that healthy rainfall in 2022 coincided with a huge increase in quality. While still young, these vines are now finding their balance. Treat this as both a brand-new wine and a glimpse of the future. The 2022 is pure, uncut Cab Franc – sublimely aromatic, lean and graceful on the palate, gently tannic on the finish. Until I have more data on how it ages, I will keep this in the “drink young” category, but there is a reach chance this wine will improve over the next 5 years.
black raspberry, red plum skin, peppercorn, lavender, lean & graceful palate,
dark chocolate tannins, and a surprisingly long finish