Winemaker Notes
At 20 years of age, the beautifully mature vines of Ryan Vineyard have produced a stunning wine with enticing aromas of red cherry, dried herbs and fresh-cracked pepper. On the palate, layers of blackberry, strawberry and sage emerge, framed by firm, grippy tannins and a lively undercurrent of acidity that carries the age-worthy wine to a lush, lingering finish.
Production
The quality of the 2018 growing season on Mt. Harlan was fantastic. After warm early spring weather led to an early budbreak, the temperatures cooled in late-spring, followed by sunny days with moderate temperatures throughout the summer. This provided us with long hangtimes, which resulted in exceptional ripeness, while preserving excellent natural acidity in the grapes. The one negative was that the cool early weather during bloom caused a bit of shatter and reduced yields. While the crops were small, the quality was outstanding, producing beautifully complex wines, with lovely structure, and pure, varietal flavors.