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The Grand Reserve Series...2009 Triumphant El Dorado 'Grand Reserve'
Source: Gold Hill Vineyard and Sauber Vineyard, El Dorado County
Harvest Date: SSept 29, 2009 / Oct 25, 2009
Brix at Harvest: 27
Time in Barrel: 18 months
Type of Oak: Neutral French & American
Alcohol: 15.5%
Bottled:April 21, 2011
Production: 164 cases
Winemaker's Notes: Gold Medal winner and Best of Region California State Fair. The Cabernet Franc vines that produced 60% of this wine are now 27 years old and are near their optimal maturity. Growing at an altitude of 1200 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 us much varietal character. The wine as racked by gravity flow only, never pumped. And was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
This Cabernet Franc based wine benefits from the addition of 28% each of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon along with 8% each of Petit Verdot and Malbec. The rich coca scents and low tannins complement the Bordeaux-style fruit finish. This wine is a true Triumphant achievement fo 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