50/50 of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot Blend. Fermented in separate fermentation vessels with very low sulfur use. Pressed dryness and aged in French 1 to 3-year-old neutral barrels for 9 months and blended before the bottling. No fining and filtration.
 
Cabernet Sauvignon (Millen Vineyard) and Merlot (Pyaleh Vineyard) were grown organically by Shaunt & Diego, my classmates from UC Davis, who have started converting conventionally grown small vineyards into healthy organic vineyards in Sonoma area. Both grapes were grown with no sulfur applications in the cool climate AVA of Sonoma county side of Los Carneros. Merlot was picked on Sep 20th, and the Cabernet on Oct 21st at around 22 Brix at full maturity. We destemmed the berries and fermented separately, with gentle punch-down during the primary fermentations. They were pressed into barrels after primiary fermentations and completed malolactic fermentation. Two wines were blended about a month before the bottling to marry the flavor and the aroma.
This blend is a great example that shows the potential of these Bordeaux varieties grown in a cool climate in California. The wine exhibits pure aroma and flavor of the varieties with refined acid with low alcohol unlike counterparts of Bordeaux varieties grown in hot climates. The wine shows aromas of red fruits characteristics and bell peppers, with fine tannin texture, which is a reminiscent of high-toned Cabernet Franc from cool climate region of Chinon, Loire Valley in France. 
 
 
Production: 112 cases