Nose
The nose offers red fruit flavors and ripe, concentrated dark berries with floral notes like violets, some hints of vanilla and tobacco.
Palate
The mouthfeel is rich, with raspberries and blueberries, and a touch of mocca. The finish presents soft and well structured tannins with bright, crisp acidity that gives the wine exceptional length.
Growing Conditions
La Consulta Vineyard (1095m/3592ft). Alluvial origin. Loamy soil, with rounded rocks on the bottom (80% Sand - 10 % Clay - 10% Silt)
Harvest
Dry weather (precipitations 20-60% lower than usual), small berries and slightly lower yields; cooler temperatures overall. The 2019 harvest happened about 1-3 weeks earlier than usual, and the grapes were in pristine condition with not a drop of botrytis or downy mildew.
We were concerned that there would be problems with frost, because of the dry spring, but a constant evening breeze made frosts rare this year. And outside of Agrelo, there were no significant hail storms. We expected the harvest to be larger than usual, but the combination of dry weather and cool climate resulted in yields slightly lower than the norm.
Winemaking
This wine goes through cold maceration for 5 days under 50ºF (10ºC). The juice is then fermented for 16 days with a post-fermentation maceration of 10 days.
Aging
12 months in barrel (35% new). Barrel selection varies depending on vineyard and vintage. 100% French oak.
Appearance
Dark violet color with deep purple tones
