2018 Spring Mountain District Cabernet Franc

Vineyard

Properties: Bales Creek Vineyard
Appellation: Spring Mountain District
Clonal Selections:  214 cabernet franc
Yield: 2 tons per acre

Growing Season

The 2018 growing season in the Napa Valley was a beautiful one marked by pleasant weather with no real issues from heat spikes or rain. A dry winter followed by a dry and early spring meant an early bud break. Weather was warm throughout late spring and summer which allowed for great development in the grapes. Harvest began in August, and the overall quality and depth of flavor of the fruit was outstanding for the vintage.  

Hand-harvested, picked at night
Gently de-stemmed and whole berries transferred to stainless steel
Cold soaked for 48 hours
Inoculated with D254 yeast and fermented for 21 days on the skins
Free run juice drained from tank, settled for 24 hours then racked to barrel
Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 66% new
Coopers: Nadalie, Orion and Ermitage
Bottled July 2018
110  cases produced
Composition-100% Cabernet Franc