Harvest Notes
Quixotic on again, off again rounds of early storms and mini heatwaves during late winter and spring on the Central Coast posed challenges, resulting in lighter grape bunches in the Fall, at Harvest Time. That allowed for deeper layers of flavor in the remaining grapes. In the end, the harvest of 2003 resembled the legendary harvest of 1994, where concentrated flavors and extended hang time allowing for full maturity provided winemakers with exceptional fruit.
Winemaking
In this vintage, the blend is focused on Cabernet Sauvignon, with a touch of Petite Sirah. Notable vineyards from Paso Robles are featured here, including Steinbeck, Robert Hall, Rolling Hills and Frankel, principally younger vines rooted well in sandy clay loam. The vines reach across mostly flat benchlands averaging 870 feet above sea level to east facing slopes, all just 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean. An extended maceration helped to soften the tannins, deepening color and providing added character to the wine. Some 40% of the cabernet was allowed to age in new American and Hungarian oak barrels for 14 months, with one-third of the blend resting in one-used French oak, and the remainder of the blend in neutral French oak.
Tasting Notes
The Paso Robles influence can be seen in this Cabernet Sauvignon, which offers distinct aromas of plum, dark fruits and black cherry mingled with spice from the new oak. The wine is medium bodied, with chewy tannins and a lingering finish. In the glass, flavors of ripe fruit compete with classic Cabernet touches of forest floor, cocoa and a pleasant earthiness.
Jekel Vineyards Riesling 2005
Region: Monterey
Winery: Jekel Vineyards
Variety: Riesling
Rating:
Gold Medal Winner - Los Angeles County Fair 2006
Harvest Notes
Quixotic on again, off again rounds of early storms and mini heatwaves during late winter and spring on the Central Coast posed challenges, resulting in lighter grape bunches in the Fall, at Harvest Time. That allowed for deeper layers of flavor in the remaining grapes. In the end, the harvest of 2003 resembled the legendary harvest of 1994, where concentrated flavors and extended hang time allowing for full maturity provided winemakers with exceptional fruit.
Winemaking
In this vintage, the blend is focused on Cabernet Sauvignon, with a touch of Petite Sirah. Notable vineyards from Paso Robles are featured here, including Steinbeck, Robert Hall, Rolling Hills and Frankel, principally younger vines rooted well in sandy clay loam. The vines reach across mostly flat benchlands averaging 870 feet above sea level to east facing slopes, all just 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean. An extended maceration helped to soften the tannins, deepening color and providing added character to the wine. Some 40% of the cabernet was allowed to age in new American and Hungarian oak barrels for 14 months, with one-third of the blend resting in one-used French oak, and the remainder of the blend in neutral French oak.
Tasting Notes
The Paso Robles influence can be seen in this Cabernet Sauvignon, which offers distinct aromas of plum, dark fruits and black cherry mingled with spice from the new oak. The wine is medium bodied, with chewy tannins and a lingering finish. In the glass, flavors of ripe fruit compete with classic Cabernet touches of forest floor, cocoa and a pleasant earthiness.
Posted by thewinery on December 1st, 2007 at 11:17am | report comment