2017 John's Promise
Blend Composition | 89% Cabernet Sauvignon
11% Aglianico
Harvest Date | October 2 and 4
Finished pH | 3.82
Finished TA | 5.9 g/L
Alcohol by volume | 14.7%
Production | 167 cases
VINTAGE
We had a wet start to 2017, so welcome after 5 years of drought. The bulk of the rain fell in January and February but rains continued into April, ensuring that the vines would have ample water throughout the growing season. The harvest started more or less on time with average to slightly low yields. What started in water ended in fire. Fortunately we had harvested most of our fruit before the October fires. We did not use any fruit harvested after the fires.
WINEMAKING
The Cabernet Sauvignon and Aglianico in this blend were harvested and fermented separately. After a brief cold soak, each lot fermented in 10-14 days. The wine was gently pressed off the skin to age in French oak barrels, 50% new barrels for the Cabernet and 16% new for the Aglianico.
TASTING NOTES
This beautifully hued wine offers intriguing aromas of pomegranate, raspberry, red flowers, cherry, vanilla bean and dried herbs. On the palate it is soft and deep, with all the flavors mentioned floating atop a bed of molten chocolate. These flavors weave and evolve, offering great complexity, and just a hint of baking spice. If you enjoy this wine before 2023, we recommend decanting it for at least a half hour prior to serving.
Drinking window: Enjoy now through 2032
PAIRINGS
This wine is beautiful on its own and would complement your favorite hard cheeses.
- Matt Reid, Winemaker