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INNOVATUS Cuvée Red 2020

$65.00

“Featured on Forbes.com!”- Article by Cathy Huyghe, Feb. 29, 2016
"She’s challenging that status quo of a typical Cab/Merlot blend from Napa...” PRESS: FORBES.com

Origin: Napa Valley, California
Harvest Dates: October, 2020
Variety: 57% Pinot Noir, 37% syrah, 6% Cabernet Franc
Aging: 16 months in French oak barrels
Alcohol: 14.5%
Release Date: April, 2022
Production: 560 cases (750ml X 12 bottles / case)

Vineyard Notes

The grapes for this blend were sourced from the two coolest regions in Napa. Pinot Noir is from Atlas Peak which is located 1600 ft above sea level. Syrah is from one of Napa Carneros Vineyards, one of the Southernmost borders of the Napa Valley. Soils are Haire Clay Loam and the terraced vineyards on the rolling hills benefit from the cooling fog and breezes from the nearby San Pablo Bay, producing red varietal wines that tend to express the bright flavor and supple tannin.

Tasting Notes

This wine complex is yet playful. Ruby red in color with undertones of violet. On the front, it’s got pomegranate and blueberry essence. It mellows back to papaya and clove. It has a little bit of lavender but in a dark way. Bright acidity boosts the taste buds and it has a lingering finish with a hint of cassis.

Winemaking

Picked at optimum ripeness at Brix 25.6. Inoculated with FX10 for fuller aroma and velvety mouthfeel. The wine was pumped over twice daily. Near the end of fermentation, the wine was inoculated with malo-lactic bacteria. The wine was pressed when dry in the fermentor, aged 16 months in French oak barrels, and racked quarterly to aid the natural clarification. The final blend was assembled and bottled in March 2020.