Aging
Aged in 100% French oak (36% new, balance from 17, 18, 19) of 300L hogsheads, for 14 months on fine lees. The larger format vessel allowed better integration and retention of more freshness.
Fermentation & Maceration
Selectively harvested early morning in early April, the fruit was cool when it arrived at the winery. It was destemmed into a closed top fermenter and allowed to cold soak naturally before the ferment was allowed to proceed, followed by gentle pumping over daily from 1-3 times. Some post-ferment maceration ensued for complexity and structure, building complete tannins with intense colours for a total of 17 days on skins; the skins were then pressed gently, creating a powerful muscular, yet refined wine
Malolactic Fermentation
yes