Vineyard: This 100% Montepulciano comes from our two best vineyard blocks planted in 2005 and 2007. The vines are planted to dense spacing (4' X 6'). We also reduce the crop during the growing season to facilitate concrentration of flavors and structure. We no have almost 3 acres of Montepulciano under vine. Montepulciano is the last variety we harvest, as Dry Creek Valley is at the cooler edge of where this grape can still ripen. 

Vintage/Winemaking: The cool late summer weather in 2017 really extended hang time during the fruit ripening cycle (post verason). As a result all of our 2017 reds have an extra dose of fruit, which is obvious in our Montepulciano.We de-stem but do not crush berries prior to sending them to small, open-top tanks for fermentation with indigenous yeast. It is then pressed at dryness and aged in French oak, 33% new for about 16 months before bottling unfiltered. 

Description: Our 2017 is perhaps our most intense and complex Montepulciano ever. Expressive aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis and semi-sweet chocolate will have you swirling and sniffing this wine longer than you might expect.  The fruit is backed up with a wine that posseses excellent richness, tannin structure and the right dose of acidity. For those who doubt Montepulciano is capable of making a wine with an ageworthy wine with  elegance and grace-this bud's for you! 

517 cases produced.

Harvest date: 10/11/2017

TA: 5.4 grams per liter

pH: 3.82

alcohol : 14.5%