2014GhostwriterBatesRanchCabernetSauvignon,SantaCruzMountains,USA

<p>Our Bates Ranch story would not be complete without mentioning the many bottles spanning many vintages of Val and Dexter Alhgren’s Bates Ranch Cabernets that we have been drinking since about 2001. When they retired and we began farming their estate vineyard, we also fortuitously inherited their orginal block of Cab at Bates Ranch. The vineyard is located along historic Redwood Retreat Road near Mt. Madonna on the Gilroy side of the Southern Santa Cruz Mountains. The small block that we exclusively work with was planted in 1973 near the top of the property above 1000 feet. Due to low production, part of theblock was torn out years ago and is being replanted now. We continue to work with what remains of the original dry-farmed block – scattered vines that comprise a little over an acre in total.2014 vintage is our second vintage of Bates Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon. Stylistically, we have tried to keep the wine in the spirit of the Santa Cruz Mountains and what we always have loved about the Alghren wines. Short extraction, 10% whole cluster, 25% new French oak. Aged 19 months in the cellar. – Kenny</p>