TA: 5.8 g/l
pH: 3.9
Brix at harvest: 24.5
Harvest date: 10/14/2021
Aging treatment: 100% American oak medium grain (neutral)
Winemaker’s Notes:
“Tempranillo is a workhorse of varietals, typically being blended into Riojas.
As a stand alone varietal it is more demure than our California standard bearers, Cab and Merlot. It’s a wine that is not the loudest at the party, but still waters run deep. Because it can be masked by oak influence, the new oak was sparingly used, accounting for less than 10% of the blend.
It is a Spanish varietal that performs exceptionally well in our Livermore Valley.
My first choice to pair with this wine is hard cheese and crudites!”
Dane Stark, winemaker
Tasting Notes:
The color of this wine is a medium red ruby color, not overly dense.
It opens with earthy fruit, a touch of plum and strawberry, tobacco and medium intensity with pleasing berry and pepper notes.
The structure lends itself to aging and the lean fruit of the mid palate is pleasing in a delicate way. The excellent structure provides for a wonderful food wine and this wine will pair beautifully with richer dishes. The finish mingles spice, leather, herbs and earth.
Impeccable balance and medium tannin structure finish in a lengthy wash of cacao, hints of coffee and earth.
2021
Merlot
Livermore Valley
$34
TA: 5.5 g/l
pH: 3.6
Brix at harvest: 24.9
Harvest date: 9/22/2021
Aging treatment: 20% New American Oak blend of forests
Winemaker’s Notes:
As we explore the Livermore Valley, becoming enchanted by the variety and quality this unique wine region has to offer, the Bordeaux varietals cannot be ignored, especially the right bank varietals.
This vineyard is quadrilateral cordons and fronting Greenville Rd with generous yield with ample canopy. It is ideal conditions for this varietal.
The Thatcher Bay Vineyard is hand harvested and the wine is made as a standalone varietal due to its relevant structure, balance and inherent quality.”
Dane Stark, winemaker
Tasting Notes:
Medium ruby in color.
This wine opens with fresh fruit on the nose of plums, spice, berries and touch of oak. Medium intensity entry leads to a lean mid palate and soft tannins around the back of the palate with integrated acidity and a lingering finish. Hints of light oak surround a very structured and nuanced mid palate reminiscent of great Bordeaux.
The balance of the fruit and structure provide for aging potential for a number of years.
2020
Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintner’s Select
$48
TA: 5.5g/l
pH: 3.5
Brix at harvest: 25.6
Harvest date: 11/1-11/23/2020
Aging treatment: Barrel aged 24 months
New Oak: 50% New American Blended Oak
Winemaker’s Notes:
“The grapes for this wine come from several different vineyards in the Livermore Valley. They have been selected for producing exceptional wines for the region.
The Livermore Valley will produce stunning Cabs, and this vintage is no exception. The East end of the valley provides heat, deep soils, and a length to the day during the growing season that provides for weighty Cabernet Sauvignon. The west end has more pocketed terrain, more fertile ground and more even ripening.
I have spent 30 years in search of the vineyards to craft into world class Cabernet Sauvignon. Every vineyard in my cellar competes for the right to be in the VS series Cab.”
Dane Stark, winemaker
Tasting Notes:
This wine has a solid red hue, clear on the edges, its color is vibrant.
Oak, cedar and heavy berries dominate the aroma with an enticing undercurrent of floral notes and classic Cabernet Cassis.
The palate is balanced and youthful with oak tannins on the sides and dusty currant and roses on the mid palate.
Oak plays a major roll in this wine which saw half of the barrels come from the 2020 vintage. Its robust mouthfeel and balanced finish is dry and refined, extended.
It will age beautifully.