2014 Henry's Blend

2014 Alexander Valley Henry’s Blend
Home Ranch

The Vintage
The opinion of many is that 2014 was an excellent vintage. Bud break was early with the warm, dry spring weather. The growing season was mild with development in berry growth occurring earlier than normal. A cool August lengthened out the harvest although we still began picking a week to ten days earlier than usual. With a lighter than average crop load things progressed rapidly and all of the fruit was in the winery by the end of September. Overall the entire vintage can be described as light, early but excellent, another vintage year in Sonoma County.

The Wine
The grapes were all hand harvested, sorted and sent directly to small open top fermentation tanks. The fermentations were done using a unique cap irrigation device that brings in air as the free-run wine is being circulated over the cap during the peak of fermentation. This technique ensures the binding of tannins with the color compounds found in the grapes as well as maximizing proper yeast cell health and viability. This Bordeaux-Style blend is 35% Cabernet Sauvignon from our Cloverdale and Home Ranch, 34% Merlot from our Geyserville Ranch, 13% each Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec all coming from blocks near the winery at our Home Ranch property. 1,516 six-packs were produced.

Winemaker Tasting Notes
This wine is complex and ever changing, it’s rich and inviting on the nose. The first impression is subtle notes of black currants, Bing cherries and blackberries overlain with hints of cedar, sandal wood and a smoky rainforest. The finish is mouthwatering and leaves the palate wanting more. This wine is drinking fantastic now but has the tannins and complexity to age another 6-7 years. Cheers!