|
 The
Season
A relatively slow steady growing season produced fruit with intense
flavors and excellent acids. Low tonnage, typical of the year, yielded
a scant three tons per acre. The grapes ripened evenly, and were
similar in character to previous years' fruit - small berry size,
flavorful juice, bright ruby color.
The Harvest
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Cabernet Sauvignon - 1,760 pounds, picked October 19 |
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Merlot - 1,024 pounds, picked October 12 |
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Cabernet Franc - 416 pounds, picked October 16 |
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23.9 Average Degrees Brix |
Fermentation
The varietal lots were kept separate during fermentation. All the
juice received 10 days of skin contact; the Cabernet went into tanks
with pump over throughout the process. The Merlot and Cabernet Franc
went into small open-top fermenters utilizing the punch down technique.
As with previous vintages, juices were fermented with Bordeaux "Pasteur"
Red Yeast for a stable, moderate fermentation with a reliable finish.
Production & Cellaring
348 gallons / 148 cases total production.
After crushing and fermentation, the wine went into barrels in early
November and aged by separate varietal lots for three months until
initial blending at the first racking in January. Barrels were new
and neutral Nevers French oak with a medium toast. The wine spent
22 months in barrels, during which time it was racked twice.
Packaging
The packaging remains the same as in previous vintages. Smoky-hued
Antique Green bottles with applied acrylic labeling are individually
tissue wrapped. For case orders, the wine is packaged in branded
wooden boxes with sliding lids.
Availability
There is a very limited quantity of 1998 Reflections Meritage; only
348 gallons, 148 cases having been produced. Originally released
at $40 per bottle, this vintage is now available in very limited
quantities for $65 per bottle. Case orders receive a 10% case discount.
Please ask about shipping. Shipping is available for wooden boxes
at an increased cost.
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