Assemblage

Assemblage

50% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. The grapes were harvested mid to late October. They were sent through the crusher-destemmer with the rollers set wide apart to retain a larger number of whole berries. Next, the grapes were sorted to remove MOG (matter other than grape) and any unripe or undesirable fruit. The must was inoculated immediately with yeast and within 24 hours with malolactic bacteria. This practice – called co-inoculation – resulted in the completion of malolactic fermentation prior to the completion of alcoholic fermentation. This has the major advantage of allowing the winemaker to rapidly protect the wine with sulfites upon completion of alcoholic fermentation (as opposed to waiting weeks or months after alcoholic fermentation for malolactic fermentation to complete). Délestage (complete drainage of free run and returning the same volume of juice/wine by irrigating over the cap, also known as “rack and return”) was done to achieve thorough, gentle extraction while minimizing the extraction of harsher tannins by the elimination of seeds as the cap settles during délestage. This method ensures that only the softest tannins are extracted. After the fermentation was complete, the free run was drained into oak barrels. The must was pressed and, after clarification, was also moved to oak barrels. After 16 months in French oak barrels (20% new, the remainder neutral), the Assemblage was bottled. 90% of the 750 ml bottles were sealed with a screw cap and the remainder were sealed with natural cork. 19 cases of magnums and 5 cases of double magnums were also filled. 13.5% alcohol. 489 cases produced.
Dense and round, with intense aromas of cassis, black berry, black cherry and spice. Medium to full-bodied, a firm tannin structure and a long finish.

Vintage notes: “2014 was an exceptional growing season. The start to the growing season was slow, due to cooler than normal conditions in April and May. Cooler weather proved to be the theme for the summer of 2014. However, what 2014 lacked in heat was made up for with sheer sunshine. A remarkable summer that will be remembered for cool breezes both day and night, blue skies, lots of sun, and very little rain. This sort of whether is ideal for a successful flowering period which determines the size of the crop. Indeed, 2014 yielded the most prolific harvest we can remember.”