Sans

Wine Profile

Production Notes

Varietal Composition: 100% estate fruit; 88.6% Merlot, 11.4% Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes

The 2018 growing season produced a gorgeous expression of Rector Creek Merlot, with alluring aromas, velvety tannins and vibrant berry flavors. On the nose, notes of ripe red raspberry and strawberry mingle with deeper aromas of black plum, currant, cola and sweet spices. The ripe berry layers are echoed on the palate, alongside flavors of fig, violet and bittersweet chocolate, with supple, fine-grained tannins and a sleek underlying energy carrying the wine to a long, dynamic finish.

Production

For both red and white grapes, 2018 offered near picture-perfect growing conditions, with mild spring and summer weather, and no significant heat events. The conditions were ideal for both our Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, which show beautiful tropical notes and ripe flavors at low sugars. While our Chardonnay harvest began about three weeks later than normal, the fruit arrived at the winery in pristine condition, producing dynamic and complex wines. The excellent growing conditions naturally resulted in a slightly larger than average crop for our red Bordeaux varieties, with fully lignified seeds at low sugars levels. With temperate weather throughout fall, we were able to pick each block at optimal ripeness, yielding exceptionally juicy and polished red wines, with plush, well-rounded tannins, and lovely overall structure.