| Alcohol: | 15.8% |
| Appellation: | Paso Robles |
| Harvest Notes: | We started off the growing season this vintage with a fairly mild spring. Then early on, we were hit with very hot weather for a week or so. Due to it coming so early in the season, the vines did not suffer too badly because there were very few developed berries to shrivel and leaves to wilt. During the summer we experienced a very worrisome rain, which could have led to bunch rot. Thankfully, the next few days were dry and windy so we did not experience and difficulties from this. The rest of the summer was very hot as usual here in Paso Robles and luckily our vineyard had it's fruit fully ripened when an unusual late summer/early fall frost hit us in early October. Frost kills vine leaves, leaving the vine with very little leaf are to photosynthesize and produce sugar in the berries. All twelve varietals produced an ample amount of fruit this vintage making it our highest yielding since 2005. |
| Release Date: | March 01, 2010 |
| Special Designation: | Cass Vineyard |
| Vineyard Notes: | The Rhone varieties in our Estate Vineyard are 100% ENTAV certified clones, planted in 2001. In total, there are 12 varieties planted on 160 acres of alluvial soils alongside the Huer Huero River. We are located southeast of Paso Robles in an area now being called the "Templeton Gap." The vineyard is at 900 feet elevation on a relatively flat terrain, surrounded by hills up to 1400 feet in elevation. This valley is known as a cold spot in the area, which is helpful in stretching out the ripening time for the fruit during harvest. The soils have good water holding capacity, which is also a big help during some of the long hot days we experience east of Paso Robles. |
| Year: | 2009 |
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Unlike most white wines, Roussanne ripens slowly and is often picked late in the harvest season. We decided to ferment in stainless steel in order to bring out the varietal character. The wine has intense citrus flavors and crisp acidity. Drink this wine with hearty salads, fish, Asian foods and grilled white meats.