2015 Piocho Reserve Magnum (1.5L)

Cabernet Franc Blend

2015 HAPPY CANYON VINEYARD “PIOCHO RESERVE”, 1.5 Liter Magnum

“Piocho” is the name of our ranch and a Native American Indian word meaning "Where the two rivers meet and go to heaven”

AVA

Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara

ESTATE GROWN, HAPPY CANYON VINEYARD

56% Cabernet Franc, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot , 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec

Alcohol 13.6%, pH 3.55 and TA 6.5 g/L

WINEMAKING NOTES

2015 was another year of extreme drought conditions. Bud break was in late March, early April. A much cooler then average May, along with highly windy conditions, resulted in low fruit with ultimate yields down 50% from average in our vineyards. Warm to hot summer conditions, and much less fruit on the vines created a harvest that was the earliest on record, beginning mid-August. The lower yields, hot weather, and early harvest resulted in tiny clusters of intensely colored, highly concentrated, flavorful grapes of incredible depth. The wine was fermented in small lots using hand-crafted winemaking techniques and matured for 22 months in a combination of new and seasoned, two year old, and neutral Taransaud French Oak Barrels. The wine was racked three times in barrel and bottled in July of 2017.

TASTING NOTES

The wine is very dark with hues of deep red and magenta.  The wine has an attractive and seductive nose of spice, sweet tobacco and cherry fruit with hints of cedar, plum, and red clay. On the palate the wine is fruity with the perfect amount of spice complementing the tastes of blackberry and red plum.  The finish is lovely and lingering full of strong yet soft tannins and the suppleness of perfectly ripe fruit.  It is stunning to drink today and will deliciously pair well with Santa Maria style Tri-Tip.