2017 VINTAGE
The winter of 2016-2017 brought us unusually heavy and welcome rainfall after several years of drought. Budbreak kicked off the growing season as the rains let up, approximately 10 days later than in 2016. The vines were thirsty from several years of drought and the abundant rainfall helped refresh our groundwater and set the stage for an historical harvest season. The growing season throughout the spring and early summer was fairly typical throughout the valley, with the one exception of a random, yet uneventful hail storm. The vast majority of Napa Valley’s grapes were harvested well before the wildfires raced through northern California in October. While the yields are slightly lower for the 2017 vintage, the wines produced from it are powerful, balanced and extremely high in quality.

TASTING NOTES
Playing with fire means taking chances, and that’s exactly what we did with the 2017 vintage. This unique blend of Malbec, Cabernet and Charbono is an intense, dark, vibrant and extremely joyful wine. Blackberry and black cherry aromas find center stage with supporting layers of cedar and baking spice. Bold and silky on entry, this dangerously quaffable red blend offers rich, ripe and voluptuous fruit with hints of spice and dark chocolate covered cherries. Juicy fruit lingers into a structured and supple finish. Charbono has enjoyed a ‘cult like’ following of devoted fans for decades and we have been told that the popularity of this heritage grape is once again on the rise in Napa Valley. We are pleased to contribute to its growth and appreciation.

Vintage: 2017
Appellation: 100% Napa Valley
Varietal: 56% Charbono, 22% Malbec, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon
Cooperage: 100% French oak, 65% New, 35% 2-Year French oak
Production: 670 cases