2011 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

 

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Scot Covington - Winemaker

 

 

Trione 2011 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Block Twenty-One

 

Our Block Twenty One Cabernet is a selection from the Trione Cloverdale Ranch, located on the western flank of the Mayacamas Mountains, in the northern portion of Alexander Valley.   The vines, planted in 2001 with Bordeaux clone #337, grow in clay and sandy loam soils underlain with a high percentage of gravel.  Cabernet Sauvignon grown in this ideal terroir develops deep, concentrated flavors and fine, smooth tannins.

 

Cases produced:  707 six-packs

Suggested California retail price:  $67

 

Winemaking:  The wine is a classic Bordeaux blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and 2% each of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.  Growing season 2011 was relatively cool, thus promoting slow ripening, full flavor development and complex structure.  We hand-harvested and fermented each variety, then moved the wines to barrel, where they aged six months.  Once we determined our blend, we returned the wine to barrel for an additional twelve months, to 'marry' the varietals.  We used tight-grained French oak barrels (45% new) from coopers Taransaud, Vicard and Bossuet.

Alcohol: 14.4 percent by volume

TA:  6.41 g/l

pH: 3.75

 

Tasting Notes:  Complex aromas foretell rich flavors of black currants, allspice and a hint of clove.  Full bodied with velvety texture, smooth tannins and an extensive finish, this Cabernet blend will age in the bottle 10 years.