Girard Napa Red Artistry

Description

Vintage Notes Textbook conditions saw near-ideal spring bud break, even fruit set, and a lengthy stretch of warm days and cool nights during the summer. Late and light rains held off until optimal fruit ripeness, bringing exceptional quality to the crush pad and into the cellar. In addition to the exception qualitiy, Napa experienced one of the largest harvests in quite a while. This fruitful harvest also brought very balanced ripeness, acidity and intense flavors. Our petite sirah vineyards were excellent examples of this balanced growing season.Vineyard Notes We source Cabernet Sauvignon for the Artistry blend from St. Helena, Oakville and Pope Valley. These regions are well known for offering dark fruit and well-integrated tannin structure. Our Merlot and Malbec are sourced from Yountille, Carneros and Rutherford while our Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot come from the slower ripening Pope Valley region. Our Petite Verdot tends to be the last fruit brought in, allowing for very complex character and tannin development. Merlot from Carneros & Rutherford lends to the lush fruit components, while the Malbec from Yountville adds mid-palate weight.Tasting Notes The 2012 Artistry showcases essence of vanilla bean, perfumed herbs, raspberrry and blackberry traits with a touch of toasted nuts. On the palate the black fruit comes forward with layered black currant and blackberry. French Oak lends mocha and vanilla accented spice and toasted sweetness. The tannins are very well developed and should integrate as the wine decants or is allowed cellar time.A Note from the Winemaker Artistry, our flagship blend, is our opportunity to take the best lots from each vintage and create a blend that showcases all Napa Valley has to offer. This is the moment in winemaking where we get to use our left brain and exhibit the artistic side of our craft. We have at our disposal over 60 different lots to choose from and meticulously blend until we find what we believe is the perfect combination. We hope you enjoy our efforts.Cheers, Glenn HugoWine Spectator 2015 Bordeaux-like, offering a mix of density and restraint, this features a core of chewy blackberry, mineral, cedar, cigar box, licorice and roasted coffee notes. Ends with taut, gripping tannins and good length. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot. JL – Girard