Sans

Wine Profile

Production Notes

Varietal Composition: 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc

Winemaker Notes

The 2017 vintage of The Discussion is a majestic and elegant wine that immediately demands attention with alluring aromas of black cherry compote, chocolate-covered blueberry, fig and cinnamon. As it opens up, hints of clove, toasted hazelnut and espresso bean emerge. On the palate, juicy blueberry, raspberry and pomegranate flavors meld with creamy oak to create a generous palate structure, with focused tannins and hints of sage and savory spice adding complexity to a long, stately finish.

Production

The 2017 growing season began with abundant winter rains, followed by a warm, dry spring that led to a perfectly timed budbreak. In addition to replenishing the water table, the early season rains produced robust canopies, which provided invaluable shade during a week-long heat event that kicked harvest into gear during the last week of August. This was followed by a much-needed cooldown that allowed the vines to recuperate, while also giving us extra hangtime for flavor development and tannin resolution. We harvested throughout September and into early October, with the grapes showing lovely ripeness and quality, yielding plush, polished and wonderfully complex wines.