Vineyard:
Hanna’s 2016 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was grown on our Red Ranch in Alexander Valley. Below Hoot Owl Creek this benchland ranch is planted on Clough Series gravelly loam soil. Above Hoot Owl it planted on Laughlin Series Sandy Loam. These are soils of two foot depth or less. The vineyard is planted to 50 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 10 acres of Malbec, two-and-a-half acres of Merlot, two acres of Petit Verdot, and just over a half acre of Saint Macaire. The Cabernet is planted to clones 7, 2 and 6. The Malbec is clone 9, the Merlot is clone 3, the Petit Verdot is clone 400, and the Saint Macaire is a field selection. Vine age in our 2016 vintage ranges from six to 26 years.
Vintage 2016:
Following adequate winter rains, the 2016 growing season began early again as the trend toward warmer winters continues. There was almost no frost pressure and the season progressed without significant weather worries. A single heat spike in July was short lived. This was followed by a glorious, easy ripening August and September that allowed the grapes to hang until late September into mid-October. Harvest commenced on September 27, with the Saint Macaire and the two young blocks of Cab. And continued on October 3, 4, 5, 7, 11 & 12 with the Petit Verdot, Malbec, Merlot and remaining Cab blocks.
Winemaking:
We began by hand picking, primarily in the cool hours from midnight to sunrise. The grapes were sorted, destemmed and partially crushed to stainless steel fermentation tanks. Draining and pressing was done “to taste,” based on daily tastings of the wines during and after pumpovers. The blend was assembled in early 2018.
Tasting Notes:
Our 2016 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is purple hued with aromas and flavors of Bing cherry, raspberry reduction, currant, Mexican chocolate and a freshening hint of shiso. It is rich and concentrated on the palate and finishes gracefully without grit or sweetness. Our Red Ranch Cabernet finds the middle way between the structure of our Elias and the opulence of our Reserve. (tasted 3-13-20)
- Variety:
- 76% Cabernet Sauvignon
- 17% Malbec
- 4% St. Macaire
- 2% Merlot
- 1% Petit Verdot
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- pH: 3.76
- Titratable Acidity (TA): 0.64 g/100 mL
- Residual Sugar: 0.2%