2014 Reserve Alchimie 750ml

Number of Cases: 426

Alcohol: 15.2%

Vineyard: The grapes for Hanna’s 2014 Alexander Valley Alchimie were grown on our Red Ranch in Alexander Valley. The property is bisected by Hoot Owl Creek. Below Hoot Owl Creek this benchland ranch is planted on Clough Series gravelly loam soil. Above Hoot Owl it planted on Laughlin Series Sandy Loam. These are soils of 2 foot depth and less.  The vineyard is planted to 50 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 10 acres of Malbec, two-and-a-half acres of Merlot, two acres of Petit Verdot, and just over a half acre of Saint Macaire. The Cabernet is planted to clones 7, 2 and 6. The Malbec is clone 9, the Merlot is clone 3, the Petit Verdot is clone 400, and the Saint Macaire is an O’Shaugnessy field selection. 

Vintage 2014: The 2014 growing season was very dry and early. Despite the early bud break and bloom there were few spring frost events. The peak summer months were warm and moderate, so disease pressure was low, ripening was even and color and flavor development phenomenal. In 2014 we harvested our inaugural crop of Saint Macaire at 26.7 o Brix. Producing just 0.7 tons per acre, the nascent vines ripened incredibly early and were harvested August 29. The Merlot was harvested on September 16, at 26.6o Brix, the Malbec on September 23, at 24.5 o Brix, the Petit Verdot on September 20, at 26.5 o Brix and the Cab on October 7, and 8, at an average of 27.3 o Brix,

Winemaking: We hand-harvested in the cool hours from midnight to sunrise. The grapes were sorted, destemmed and partially crushed to stainless steel fermentation tanks. Pressing was done “to taste”, based on daily tastings of the wines after pumpover. The newly pressed wines were racked to tank and allowed to settle before barreling. The wines were blended in the spring of 2015 and aged in 60 gallon French and Hungarian oak barrels from Saury, Remond, and Trust.

Tasting Notes:  Collier dark, our Alchimie offers intense aromas of fennel, violet, Santa Rosa plum and lavender. It has flavors of hibiscus, dried cherry, fig, and integrated spicy oak. Texturally it offers a full mid palate and seductively juicy long and tannin less finish. (Tasted 2/08/17)

Variety: 38% Malbec, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 22% Petit Verdot, 8% Saint Macaire

Harvest Dates: August 29 to October 8, 2014

Avg. Brix at Harvest: 25.8o

Fermentation Inoculated with commercial yeasts. 6 days skin contact.

Malolactic Fermentation: 100% of blend

Length/Type of Aging: 18 months in 60 gallon French and Hungarian Oak barrels

Oak Types: 92% new oak Treuil, Boutes & Trust.

Bottling Date: June 23, 2016

Vegetarian Friendly