2015 Bismark Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml

Proprietor Grown

91 POINTS - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Number of Cases: 467

Alcohol: 15.5% 

Vineyard: Our Bismark Mountain Ranch is high above the city of Sonoma and San Pablo Bay.  Here on the southwestern flanks of the Mayacamas Mountains we grow 27 acres of 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 similar to 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 2015: The 2015 growing season was once again dry and odd. Late winter and early spring were hot. Late spring was cool and fruit set was poor. The peak summer months were moderate, resulting in steady ripening and good acid retention. Late summer heat pushed sugar accumulation because of the small crop. The grapes for the 2015 Bismark Cab blend were harvested on September 14, 22, and 24, at an average of 27.0 o Brix. 
 
Winemaking: 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 wine was aged on lees for 19 months in 75% new French oak barrels coopered by Treuil and Remond and 25% new Hungarian oak barrels coopered by Trust. 
 
Tasting Notes: Our 2015 Bismark Cabernet Sauvignon is a shimmering purple in the glass, and reveals the mountain’s terroir with notes of Bing cherry, cassis, and hint of juniper. Similar to its predecessor it is precociously supple by mouth for such a young wine, and has the rich extended finish typical of Bismark Cabernet.
 
Variety: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec, 8% Cabernet Franc 
 
Harvest Dates: September 14 to September 24, 2015 
 
Age of Vines: 15-21 years  
 
Brix at Harvest Average: 27 

 Length/Type of Aging: 19 months on lees in 60 gal oak barrels. 
 
Oak Types: 100% new French & Hungarian from Treuil, Remond and Trust 
 
Bottling Date: June 23, 2017