2019 Reflections

Reflections brings together the character of two of our noble red grape varieties grown on our home vineyard, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The grapes were handpicked in late October, the final pick of the season. Then destemmed and placed in shallow tubs where they are gently macerated over a period of approximately 5 days, using traditional time honored techniques to carefully release the sweet juice and rich dark berry fruit flavors and color along with soft mature tannins. A period of fermentation follows during which a constantly rising grape cap is plunged back down into the CO2 laden juice where newly forming alcohol further extracts aromas and flavors reminiscent of dark berries and spice. Then with precise timing the fermentation is stopped by the addition of a special concentrated brandy, locally distilled, from River Stone wines made earlier in the same vintage. The newly formed wines are then transferred into neutral French oak barrels for a minimum of 30 months aging.