2010 Très Violet

After the drought and heat of 2008-09, the 2010 was a vintage noted for balance. Mild conditions and ample soil moisture allowed for a long, even ripening season. The Syrah and Grenache were picked the same day thus allowing for a rare co-fermentation of our Estate fruit. After being fully destemmed with the skin left intact, the fruit was cold soaked in anaerobic conditions for 3 days. It was then fermented in 5 ton open top tanks. Each tank received 2 daily punch downs, and a pump over every other day to maximize extraction and maintain a moderate temperature. This ferment spent a total of 24 days on skins. The Mourvedre is the last ripener in the vineyard and was fermented in 2 ton tanks, 30% whole cluster. After 15 days, the clusters were broken up by hand to release sugars into the ferments and the stems removed. It then spent another 10 days on skins to complete primary fermentation. The lot was pressed gently and all fractions blended together and rough racked to barrel to minimize loss of lees. After completion of malo-lactic fermentation, the final blend was put together and allowed to age as a single wine for an additional 22 months with no racking.