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The Grand Reserve Series...2007 Triumphant El Dorado 'Grand Reserve'
Source: Gold Hill Vineyard, El Dorado County
Harvest Date: September 30, 2007
Brix at Harvest: 26
Time in Barrel: 18 months
Type of Oak: Neutral French & American
Alcohol: 15.5%
Bottled: April 9, 2009
Production: 203 cases
Winemaker's Notes: The Cabernet Sauvignon vines that produced 50% of this wine are now 24 years old and are near their optimal maturity. Growing at an altitude of 1,200 feet, these vines have a mid to late ripening cycle. After hard-harvesting and crushing, the grapes were fermented over a 14-day period in open-top containers. The must was punched down by hand four times a day to extract maximum color and varietal character. The wine was pressed in a small manually operated vertical basket press. After settling the wine was aged in neutral French and American oak barrels to let as much varietal character show through as possible. The wine was racked by gravity flow only, never pumped, and was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
This Cabernet Sauvignon based wine benefits from the addition of 20% each of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon along with 5% each of Petit Verdot and Malbec. The rich cocoa scents and low tannins complement the Bordeaux-style fruit finish. This wine is a true Triumphant achievement for us and is unusually approachable for a wine still in its youth and will improve in the cellar while maintaining its intense layered character.
Bright Hope Designs