2018 Cabernet Franc – Miller Vineyard
This wine offers a fantastic blend of traditional Old World notes and vibrant California fruit. Fresh aromas of black cherry, tamarind, and serrano pepper are complimented by an earthy minerality that compares to concrete in a summer rain. Extended aging in neutral oak allows the gentle character and strong structure of the fruit to come into balance, forming flavors of raspberry and ripe strawberry up front with firm, but subtle tannins that bring a slightly sandy texture on the midpalate. This vintage comes to a smooth finish leaving a warm array of spicy fruit flavors.
Miller Vineyard . Clarksburg AVA
Certified Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing
Technical Details
| SOIL COMPOSITION | Sandy Clay Loam. Derivation Dominantly Granite Rock. |
| VINEYARD PHILOSOPHY | Certified Sustainable |
| TRELLISING | Wide T Vertical Shoot Positioning |
| CLONE | 13 and 11 |
| ACRES | 10.95 |
| LOCATION | 38°17’49.1”N, 121°28’07.5”W |
| HARVEST DATE | October 24 & 25, 2018 |
| BRIX AT HARVEST | 25.2° |
| AGING | 20 Months Neutral Barrels |
| BOTTLE DATE | April 1, 2021 |
| CASES PRODUCED | 2,020 (6 pack cases) |
| TA | 6.2 g/L |
| PH | 3.68 |
| RS | 0.3 g/L |
Region: California
Appellation: Clarksburg
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 14.5%
Vineyard Notes
Miller is unlike any other vineyard we farm in the Clarksburg AVA. The 10.95 acres of Clone 13 and 11 Cabernet Franc develop thick skins to combat fierce Delta winds and each vine seems to perform uniquely due to the topography and soil mix. Grafted from Sauvignon Blanc in 2010, the varietal has performed as we expected – it is difficult to grow, but crafts a beautiful wine.
Production Notes
Weather is a key element of farming – it plays a crucial role in the health of our vines and winegrapes. Daily temperatures and rainfall come together to dictate the growing season, making each vintage distinctive. 2018 was a long and even season with moderate conditions and mild summer weather. This allowed the winegrapes to mature slowly with even ripening, pushing our start of harvest to August 6th, 10 days later than the previous two years. The overall moderate to cool harvest conditions were good for flavor development, but on October 3rd we endured rain showers. Luckily the following two weeks were dry and sunny helping finish the sugar accumulation in our mid to late ripening varietals. We ended harvest in November, one of the latest in recent memory, with particularly good quality and spectacular color in the red varietals and white varietals with sound flavor and acid development.
Other Notes
Clarksburg AVA – Located on the Sacramento River in the heart of the Delta, the Clarksburg AVA has a profound maritime influence. Cool mornings give way to warm afternoons and temperatures quickly cool again in the evenings. With land at or below sea level, the fertile soil attracts and holds nutrients and water which calls for constant monitoring.
