Winemaker Notes
Grown in the deep, fertile soils of Confluence Vineyard’s lower bench, this is a beautifully terroir-driven wine with enticing aromas of black currant, ripe cherry and leather, as well as hints of molasses and clove. On the palate, supple mouthcoating tannins and lively acidity frame flavors of black cherry, cranberry and oolong tea with a note of sea spray salinity adding nuance to the long, lush finish.
Production
After a very dry winter and a cold early spring, April and May brought warmer weather to Anderson Valley, along with budbreak and bloom. As the summer progressed, the temperatures grew warmer, with a significant mid-August heat spike marking the beginning of our sparkling wine harvest. While mid-August also brought wildfires to much of wine country, our distance from the smoke minimized the impact. Even so, we did extensive testing to ensure only the finest grapes were used for our 2020 wines, excluding any fruit that did not meet our standards. While 2020 produced a small crop, the wines are beautifully concentrated, with lovely tension, firm tannins, savory notes and vibrant, fresh-fruit flavors.