2019 Ciel du Cheval

2019 Ciel du Cheval

(198 cases produced)

Vineyard:

100% Ciel du Cheval

Assemblage:

80% Cabernet Sauvignon  & 20% Merlot

Every year we choose a vineyard that is really expressing their site and make a Cabernet exclusively from that vineyard’s fruit. In the past we have made vineyard designate Cabernets from Artz Vineyard, DuBrul Vineyard, and Two Blondes Vineyard. In 2018 and 2019 we made a vineyard designate from the newest vineyard we started sourcing fruit from, Ciel du Cheval. This is a well-known site located on Red Mountain.

Tasting Notes: The Cabernet Sauvignon is clone 337. This clone is new to our state from Bordeaux France. This wine has bright cherry and raspberry on the nose with a great weight and volume on the palate. The wine is more delicate and supple than our other two Cabernets.

Vinification:  Fruit was hand harvested September 28, 2019.  The grapes were destemmed and crushed leaving ~20% whole berries.   No pump was used in the transfer of the must.  The must cold soaked for approximately 96 hours at about 12oC and native yeast began fermenting after about 72 hours.   

Bottled unfined and unfiltered on April 14th, 2021.

Elevage:   

17 months in 63% new French oak and 37% neutral French oak

Alcohol – 14.9%

TA –  6.4 g/L

pH – 3.57