2022 Reserve Saint Macaire 750ml
Vineyard: The grapes for Hanna’s 2022 Reserve Saint Macaire 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 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, eight acres of Malbec, and just over a half acre of Saint Macaire.
Vintage 2022: October 2021 brought an atmospheric river event that recharged the soil profile after several years of drought. This led to an even bud break – later than 2021 - strong early growth and a moderate crop. A Goldilocks summer, until Labor Day that is, resulted in even ripening and an early start to harvest. The slope steepened dramatically over Labor Day, with days of high heat pushing sugar accumulation. Our canopy management technique, which retains most of the protective leaves, proved to be the perfect antidote to the dehydrating heat that damaged fruit in conventionally farmed vineyards. The Saint Macaire was for the 2022 Hanna Reserve was harvested 9/12/22, the Malbec for the blend was harvested on 9/16/22 and the Cab was harvested on 9/22/22.
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. The must was cold soaked for six days before being warmed and inoculated. Pressing was done “to taste,” based on hourly tastings of the wines during peak fermentation. The newly pressed wines were racked to tank and allowed to settle before barreling. The wine was aged Sur Lie for 16 months in barrels, primarily terracotta amphora and neutral oak, and 12% new French Oak from Remond.
Tasting Notes: Light bendingly dark, our 2022 Saint Macaire draws one deep in with spot-on portrayals of sarsaparilla, Mexican chocolate, ginseng, baked blueberry, slate and even Redwood bark. By mouth it is expansive and rich with layers of dried plum, leather, toasted ancho pepper and Ethiopian coffee. Delicious now, it will be best in a couple of years, and will drink well into the 40’s. (tasted 7-31-25)
Variety: 83% Saint Macaire, 13% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard Location: HANNA Red Ranch Saint Macaire block 32, Cab blocks 33 & 5, Malbec blocks 34 & 1
Age of Vines: 7-28 years
Alcohol: 14%
pH 3.65
Titratable Acidity (TA) 0.57 g/100 mL
Residual Sugar:0.0%
Avg. Brix at Harvest: 25.8
Bottling Date: August 28, 2024
Number of Cases: 92.5
Vegan