2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml
Vineyard: HANNA’s 2017 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was grown on our Red Ranch in Alexander Valley. Below Hoot Owl Creek, this benchland ranch is planted on Clough Series gravelly loam soil. Above Hoot Owl, it is planted on Laughlin Series Sandy Loam. These are soils of two 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 Merlot is planted to clone 3.
Vintage 2017: A welcome, very wet winter filled reservoirs. Spring frost was absent. A relatively dry, cool spring led into a summer with alternating cool and very hot periods. Blocks that were blooming during extremes suffered some shatter but overall the crop size was average. A cool, drippy August was followed by a Labor Day heat wave that pushed harvest into high gear. Temperatures then moderated into a glorious, easy ripening September and early October. Grapes for the Reserve Cab were harvested at an average 26.4 o Brix from September 27, to October 14, 2017.
Winemaking: We hand harvested in the cool hours from midnight to sunrise. The grapes were hand-sorted, destemmed and partially crushed to stainless steel fermentation tanks. Pressing was done to taste, based on daily tastings of the wines after pumpover, with an average of seven days skin contact. The newly pressed wines were racked to tank and allowed to settle before barreling. The wine was racked three times in its first year and once in its second year. Aging was in 100% new 60 gallon French & European barrels from Trust, Nadalie, Treuil and Boutes.
Reserve Status: We regularly taste through our lots of Bordeaux reds. Exceptional lots and barrels are designated as potential blending components for our Reserve wines; criteria are intensity of fruit, complexity, suppleness, color and potential for longevity.
Tasting Notes: It exudes aromas of warm blackberry pie, plum pudding, anise, toasted kabocha and a whisper of saddlery. Layered, echoic flavors entice with the added complexity of black peppercorn and cassis. Texturally, the wine is viscous and concentrated; yet despite its enormity is polished, supple and cultured, with finely wrought tannins that bring the wine’s finish to a harmonious, silken crescendo. (Tasted 3-30-18)
Variety: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, 9% Saint Macaire, 1% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
Vineyard Location: HANNA Red Ranch blocks 33, 7, 21, 1, 4, 32, 2, 5, 15, and 26 in Alexander Valley
Age of Vines: Up to 27 years
Alcohol: 14.8%
pH: 3.68
Titratable Acidity (TA): 0.59 g/100 mL
Residual Sugar: 0.3%
Harvest Dates: September 27, to October 14, 2017
Avg. Brix at Harvest: 26.4o
Fermentation Inoculated with selected commercial yeasts, 7-8 days skin contact.
Malolactic fermentation: 100% of blend
Length/Type of Aging: 18 months in barrel
Oak Types: 60% new French and European barrels from Trust, Nadalie, Treuil and Boutes.
Bottling Date: September 6, 2019
Number of Cases: 508