With its deep eggplant hue, the density of color in this wine is amazing. The aromas match the richness of the color with layers of coffee and dark chocolate that are lifted by hyper-ripe raspberry and black currant notes. The palate is unexpectedly soft and supple given the vibrant acid that dances on the tongue. Silky tannins allow you to savor the wine as it builds to a fascinating raspberry and cream finish, with notions of dried rose petal.
The fruit was gently destemmed into small open-top fermenters, using state-of-the-art equipment and procedures to avoid any pumping of the must. Inoculation with select yeast strains followed a three-day cold soak, and the caps were managed with a combination of pump-overs and punch-downs. The wine was aged for ten months in 40% new, and 40% one-year-old French oak barrels, with bottling on July 28th, 2022.
The 2021 vintage delivered a moderate and consistent growing season for most of Sonoma County, leading to a smooth, easily manageable harvest. While the continuation of drought conditions led to slightly reduced yields, the overall quality and concentration of the grapes were exceptional. The grapes from Klopp Ranch were harvested by hand in the cool evening hours of September 23rd, 2021.
The father-daughter team of Ted and Lauren Klopp have been farming in the Russian River Valley for over two decades. Their home ranch is on Laguna Road, where the vines are tucked away in the nook of a foggy valley. We selected grapes from three different blocks on their ranch planted to three different clones: 115, 777, and Swan. The ground here is fertile Goldridge soils, where the vines produce small, intensely flavorful clusters of grapes.