Mt.BraveMountVeederCabernetFranc

<p>Product Details Please note that wine images and vintages are for illustration purposes only. The label design, vintage year, and packaging may vary depending on the producer’s updates and availability. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the actual bottle received may differ slightly from the image shown.VINEYARDHigh-elevation winegrowing requires a painstaking, labor intensive approach. Thin, rocky soils and steep slopes make water retention a challenge and erosion a threat, but the vines benefit from the struggle and produce concentrated flavors. The high altitude keeps midday temperatures cooler than those in the valley below, while the position above the fog line gives grapes longer daily exposure to sunlight. This regularly extends the growing season into November, and the increased hang-time results in peak ripeness and full varietal complexity.WINEMAKINGWe hand-harvested grapes during cool morning hours as the fog blanketed the valley below. The wine was fermented in stainless steel and then underwent native malolactic fermentation in barrels to round acidity and softly integrate the vanillin character of French oak (86% new). After barrel aging for 20 months, the wine was bottled without fining or filtration.WINEMAKER’S COMMENTSThe 2017 growing season began with a much-welcomed wet spring followed by a temperate summer. A mid-September heatwave was succeeded by a cooling period which lengthened hang-times leading to optimal fruit ripeness. The second week of October experienced strong winds which, combined with high temperatures and dry conditions, brought disaster in the form of wildfires. With great fortune, the entirety of the fruit was harvested before this devastating event. Planted on rocky soils with minimal water retention, these Cabernet Franc vines produce wine of incredible concentration. Aromas of blue fruit and rose petal captivate while notes of herbs de Provence and wet stone grace the palate for a supple and structured finish. The 2017 truly reflects Mt. Veeder’s rugged sense of place.Mt. Brave Mount Veeder Cabernet Franc</p>