Vintage Summary

The 2016 growing season was characterized by average winter rainfall returning to the Los Alamos Valley, because of the persistent El Nino conditions. This resulted in a recovery year for the vines, with stronger growth, but no yield increase. Cool nights were the norm throughout August, and slightly warmer conditions prevailed in early September to speed up development. The grapes were harvested on September 2nd.

Winemaking

The grapes were picked by hand and given 24 hours of whole cluster maceration to extract tannins, aroma, and flavor compounds in the skins, followed by pressing the grapes.  No sulfur was added to allow the juice to oxidize slightly.  After a 36 hour cold settle in tank, the clean juice was racked off the solids to another tank for spontaneous fermentation. The wine was NOT sulfured post completion of secondary fermentation with elevage in neutral puncheons on fine lees. Racked to tank one week priot to bottling. Unfined and unfiltered, and no sulfur. Bottled June 27th, 2017. 42 cases produced. 

Wine Stats

Brix at harvest: 19.9

Titratable Acidity: 7.3 g/L

pH: 3.13

Residual Sugar: 0.4 g/L

Alcohol: 11.9%

No Added Sulfites