Production: 37 cases
Availability: Winery direct and select restaurant accounts
Vintage: 2019
Variety or Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Appassimento
Vineyard Designation: Lenko Vineyard
Region: Beamsville Bench
Vine Age: 1980 planting
Soil: Mostly clay with limestone
Wine Style: Sweet
Oak: 100% French Oak
Alcohol Content: 15.5%
PH: 3.60
TA: 5.7 g/L
RS: 48 g/L
Ageing: Drink now through 2030
Serving Temperature: 14 – 18 degrees Celsius
Winemaking:
The 2019 Appassimento grapes were harvested with excellent flavour in and the fruit was hanging clean on the vines. We
hand harvested, with extreme care ensuring no skins were broken, placing 5-6 clusters per picking bin. The bins were then arranged
carefully in our drying kilns to be slowly dehydrated until they reached the phenolic profile and sugar concentration we had
desired. The dehydrated clusters were then transferred into to their fermentation vessel. Once alcoholic fermentation is complete and
the tannin structure is right, we gently press the wine off of the skins and pump it to a settling tank. After settling, the wine is put into
Bourbon barrel for malolactic fermentation and aging. The wine is sulphured in barrel to preserve the character and fruit and continues
to age with careful monitoring for 12 months. When aging and maturing was complete the wine was then taken out of barrel and
transferred into tank as the final wine. A light filtration is carried out before bottling.
Appearance:
Opaque with deep garnet hue.
Aromas:
Primary aromas of dried fruits including prunes, dates, fig compote, raisins lift from the glass. Underlying aromas of
leather, fruitcake, spices, toast and smoky notes tantalize your nose.
Palate:
Dried fruits are on the forefront of the palate. Following closely behind are seductive notes of fig, espresso, cocoa, leather and cigar
box. A rich and concentrated full bodied wine with bold, round layered tannins and balanced acidity which provide structure as well as
harmonize with the natural sweetness all the way to the med-long finish. Lingering flavours of black liquorice, cocoa and dried fruit remain
on the finish. Tertiary complexities persist in the background of this wine and will continue to develop and integrate over time, a wine
to drink with chocolate desserts, cheese or enjoyed fireside on its own.