2014 Stuhlmuller Alexander Valley, Sonoma County

The Vineyard: Stuhlmuller Vineyard is located within the AVA of Alexander Valley, but the vineyard also borders the Chalk Hill and Russian River Valley AVA’s. This unique vineyard site is well suited for the ideal growing conditions for this Cabernet Sauvignon. The diurnal swings in temperatures at the vineyard provides enough heat for the grapes to ripen, but is cool enough to delay ripening in order to achieve the longest hang-time for the grapes on the vine. The Process: The grapes were harvested at night and brought immediately to our winery. The de-stemmed grapes were cold soaked for 5 days prior to the onset of fermentation. The wine was allowed to macerate on the skins for 23 days. A mix of French and American barrels were gravity filled and then aged without racking for 20 months before bottling. The Wine: The indigo hues and rich, sweet aromas make it difficult to stop salivating before the first sip. Wafts of cassis, blackberries, and savory spices bellow out of the wine glass. The wine is surprisingly soft and silky as it enters the pallet, but long-lingering flavors of blueberry strudel and licorice make this a powerfully concentrated wine. With its rich texture and tannins this wine will be good to drink by summer 2017, but will greatly benefit from extended aging (10+ years). Food Pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon is the “King of Grapes” and should be paired with the “King of Steaks.” Whether your preference is a Porterhouse, Bone-in Rib-Eye, Sirloin, New York, or Tri-Tip cut, the Stuhlmuller Vineyard Cabernet with its concentrated mouthfeel, is surely to be a hit on your dinner table.

Harvest Date: September 32, 2014 Barrel Aging: 20 months in French and American Oak Barrels Percentage of New Oak: 60% Alcohol: 14.1% pH: 3.49 Total Acidity: 6.5 g/L Number of Cases Bottled: 542 Retail Price: $54 Suggested Consumption Dates: Drink now through 2030

2201 Westside Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448 707-433-2222 phone 707-433-2202 fax