2016 Bismark Petit Verdot 750ml

Vineyard: Our Bismark Mountain Ranch is in the Moon Mountain District Sonoma County appellation, high above the city of Sonoma and San Pablo Bay. Here on the southwestern flanks of the Mayacamas Mountains we grow eight acres of Malbec on terraces that follow the contours of the northwestern side of the ranch. 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 2016: Following adequate winter rains, the 2016 growing season began early again as the trend toward warmer winters continues. There was almost no frost pressure and the season progressed without significant weather worries. A single heat spike in July was short lived. This was followed by a glorious, easy ripening August and September that allowed the grapes to hang until mid October. The Bismark Mountain Petit Verdot was harvested on October 12, and the Cab, Malbec, and Cab Franc were harvested from September 27, to 29, 2016, at an average Brix of 25.2o, TA of 0.61 g/100 mL and pH 4.1.

Winemaking: Our 2016 Bismark Petit Verdot was sorted, destemmed and crushed to tank. The grapes arrived mountain warm, and were cold soaked for four days before inoculation. The wine was pressed sweet and finished fermentation in tank, before a mid-November barreling. Ageing was sur lie in a 70% new French Oak barrels coopered by Remond.

Tasting Notes: With its saturated navy blue opacity, our Petite Verdot betrays its scandalously high pH-and volcanic provenance. This, our first Bismark Petite Verdot since 2001, displays aromas of Aztec chocolate, barberry, sage, charcoal and Yerba Santa.  Flavors resound, adding notes of molasses, plum and honey cake. Surprisingly lithe by mouth, it offers amplitude and extraction without excessive alcohol or tannin.

Variety: 78% Petit Verdot, 17% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc 
 
Vineyard Location: Bismark Mountain blocks 16 Petit Verdot, 26 Malbec, 6 Cab Sauv, 10 Cab Franc, Moon Mountain District Sonoma County.

Age of Vines: 23 years
 
Alcohol: 14.8% 
 
pH: 4.10 
 
Titratable Acidity: (TA) 0.67 g/100 mL 
 
Residual Sugar: 0.2% 
 
Avg. Brix at Harvest: 25.2o  
 
Length/Type of Aging: 19 months in barrel

Oak: 70% New French Oak coopered by Remond 
 
Bottling Date: August 9, 2018 
 
Number of Cases: 57