2018 Bismark Titan 750ml

 

Vineyard Source: Our Bismark Mountain Ranch is high above the city of Sonoma and San Pablo Bay. Here on the southwestern flanks of the Mayacamas Mountains plantings include Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon amid outcroppings of Rhyolite.  We began planting in 1991 and continue to fine tune our mix of cultivars to this day.  This is steep ground; shared with Creosote bush, Grey pine, coyote and mountain lion. Topographically it is like the Douro. Windy, sun drenched yet moderate in temperature, Bismark grudgingly produces grapes with an intense, deeply concentrated flavor. Bismark’s unique terroir is both fierce and alluring. 

Vintage 2018: Adequate rainfall, no frost pressure and mild spring temperatures were a great start to the vintage. This continued with a temperate summer and early fall. October 1st rain provided some drama, but it dried quickly enough on the wind-swept mountain. Warm sunny days followed the rain, continuing the long even ripening, with harvest days continuing into November. The grapes for the 2018 Bismark Mountain Titan were harvested from September 27, to November 6 at an average 28 Brix, TA of 0.60 g/100 mL, and a pH of 3.86.

Winemaking: The clusters were sorted, destemmed, and partially crushed to stainless steel fermentation tanks. Pressing was done to taste, based on frequent tastings of the wines during pumpovers. The newly pressed wines were racked to tank and allowed to settle before barreling. The wine was barrel aged on lees for 27 months in 68% new oak barrels.

 

Tasting Notes: Light bendingly dark, our 2018 Titan exudes gravitas. At first brooding, it offers powerful notes of macerated cherry, boysenberry, gochugaru, and Bismark’s signature pepperwood. Its flavors are spicy, savory, and red-fruit laden. The well-structured tannins ease taro-like into a silky, mouth filling denouement. (Tasted 8-30-23)

 

Variety

69% Malbec, 15% Petit Verdot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc

Vineyard Location

Hanna’s Bismark Mountain Vineyard Blocks 26, 3, 6, 19, 16

Age of Vines 12-25 years

Harvest Dates:

September 27, to November 6, 2018

 

Alcohol 14.8%

pH 3.84

Titratable Acidity (TA)

0.55 g/100 mL

Residual Sugar 0.15%

 

Fermentation

Inoculated with selected yeasts. 5-10 days skin contact.

Length/Type of Aging

27 months in 60-gal oak barrels.

Oak Types

68% new European oak coopered by  Remond and Boutes

 

Bottling Date

February 23, 2021

Number of Cases

227

Vegan