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Wild Oak Vineyard
92 pts. | Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge
Gold Medal | Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge
Tasting Notes
This medium-bodied red wine surprises with a bright bouquet of fresh cranberry and sweet-leaf tobacco, leading to a sultry structure that crescendos to a tart burst of Bing cherry, complemented by earthy licorice notes and candied apple. Enhanced by excellent sun exposure, the wine boasts a bright berry-like acidity and a delicate herbaceousness in its enduring finish, leaving an impression of elegance and depth.
Vintage Notes
The 2021 growing season saw near-perfect growing conditions. With minimal winter rain, the vines were awakened with ideal moderate springtime temperatures, eliminating any frost threat to the developing buds. At most sites, fruit set was during the optimal timeframe due to warm, consistent conditions. Veraison occurred 7-10 days earlier than in previous years due to the temperate weather and minimal rain. Moderate daytime temperatures and cool nights throughout the summer months, with a few of the regular short-lived heat spikes, allowing for excellent flavor development. The year saw an early harvest, with 90% of the region’s grapes being picked before the late Fall.
Vineyard Notes
The Sonoma Valley, a historic wine-growing region, is ideally suited for growing high-quality wine grapes including Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. We source all three varieties from our Certified Sustainable Wild Oak Estate Vineyard, located at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains in the heart of the valley. The area’s warm summer days are tempered by cool, breezy evenings allowing the grapes to develop complex flavors while retaining acidity. The vineyard property is also the site of the Winery and Tasting Room.
Winemaker Notes
All grapes are gently de-stemmed before cold-soaking for two days to extract optimal color and flavor. The fruit is fermented in separate lots, allowing each lot to be individually and distinctly crafted before being aged in French oak barrels, 45% new. The wine is kept 15 months in barrel before final blending.
WINEMAKER
COLLECTION
GRAPE VARIETIES
96% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec
ALCOHOL
14.9 %
CASES PRODUCED
580
AGING
15 Months
Bottling Date
March 2023
Barrel
French Oak, 45% New
