Soil & Vineyard: Botella Clay Loam full of Chert & Shale. From a combination of three parcels throughout the great Sanford & Benedict vineyard. Two of the plantings are from 10-12 year old vines and provide the dark, deep core to this wine. The third piece, from the original plantings of the 1970s, brings elegance and floral lift.

Production & Aging: Native yeast fermentation using 2/3 whole clusters with occasional punching down during 3 week maceration before pressing into barrel. Aged 19 months in French oak barrels before bottling. 30% new oak.

The 2021 . . . is a powerful, dense wine. A high percentage of whole cluster is a strong marker. Dark blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol and licorice open with some coaxing. The 2021 is a very pretty wine. This opens beautifully with time in the glass. 95 points

– Antonio Galloni, Vinous