Othello 2012 The Othello is our ruby character fortified wine. Recent law changes have copyrighted the words “Port” or “Oporto”; you must produce your product in Portugal and export out of the town of Oporto to be considered. In Portugal you can use up to 40 approved grapes to produce “port”; here at Veritas we typically use the two best, Touriga Nacional and Tannat, but this year the blend was 75% Tannat and 25% Merlot. We begin making the wine in traditional fashion by fermenting the two grapes separately in stainless steel tanks. Half way through alcohol fermentation we will “fortify” the wine by adding a clear, flavorless brandy. This process will raise the total alcohol to a level that is toxic to the yeast. When the yeast dies, the unfermented sugar becomes the sweetness level of the wine. This is why you have a high level of alcohol and intense sweetness. The fortified wine is then moved into barrels for extended aging (24months). Othello will show dominant fruit tones in its youth and develop beautiful complexity each year in cellaring. Drink now or age to 2022. Winemaker: Emily Pelton Sight: Deep plum core moving to ruby with purple hue Aroma: Incredibly rich, with intense plum, blueberry, blackberry, raisin and vanilla-toasted oak followed by the sweet nose of brandy. Flavors: Round and ripe plum, black berry and hints of vanilla, coffee, caramel, raisin and structure of brandy. The wine shows a full mid-palate and a long, round finish warming you to the core. Varietal 75% Tannat, 25% Merlot Composition: Appellation: Monticello AVA Time in Oak: 24 months Type of Oak: 90% French oak, 10% American Residual Sugar: 11% Alcohol: 17.5% (500ml) Produced: 363 cases Release Date August 2014 .