Cuvée PAU

As the second in a string of three very favorable vintages, 2013 may be remembered as the best since 2007 for Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. Winter rainfall was sparse at just one third of normal. The warm spring weather favored early vine growth and a proper pollination period in May. The most defining element of the vintage was the ideal daytime temperatures during veraison in late July and early August while the fruit was coloring up. This “Goldilocks fortnight” (not too hot, not too cold) resulted in exceptional phenolic development and some of the darkest colored Cabernet we’ve ever made. Temperate weather through the harvest period allowed us to pick this block at ideal maturity without concern for rain or heat spikes.

CUVÉE PAU

The inspiration for this blend comes from the Grand Cru wines of the Pauillac district of Bordeaux composed primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot accents. Winemaking is given the freedom to emulate these great wines without the restrictions of varietal percentages, instead keenly focusing on the texture and complexity of the blend that nature delivers with each vintage.