2021 Marriage

Vineyard

Properties: Wurtele Vineyard, Bale's Creek Estate
Appellation: Spring Mountain District
Clonal Selections: Clone 181 Merlot, Clone 7 cabernet sauvignon, clone 214 cabernet franc

Growing Season

The 2021 vintage will be remembered for low yields with intensely-flavored, small-sized berries and a smooth and uneventful harvest season. 

The season started off with very little rain, leading to the 2nd year of drought conditions in Napa Valley, Harvest began early with white wine grapes picked on July 30th and red wine grapes beginning on August 31. While concerning in the long term, the drought of 2021 resulted in a more natural load on the vines, requiring less pruning and dropping of fruit. The resulting grapes are packed full of flavor. Winemakers across the valley are excited about the prospects of the 2021s and it is likely the smaller yields per vine and smaller berry size will result in another amazing vintage from Napa Valley.

Winemaking

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 20 months in French oak barrels, 75% new
Coopers: Nadalie Colbert Selection
Bottled August 2023
4 Barrels Produced

Compositon: 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc
Tasting Notes: Pristine red currant, boysenberry and bing cherry notes with blueberry and cocoa notes layered with hints of cedar, bay laurel, allspice and black licorice.  Bright  and soft red fruits greet the palate rounded out by dark cocoa notes through the mid-palate.  The wine finishes with the darker fruits taking over mingled with caramel and baking spices and long and elegant finish.  This wine beautifully captures the balance of fresh ripeness and elegance full bodied tannins from a classic vintage.