The 2023 The Key displays an array of enticing aromas that are both playful and sophisticated, with bright, lifted citrus and creamy lemon curd layers as well and notions of wet stone minerality and toasty French oak. On the palate, the entry is flirty and flowing, with a complex structure, lively energy, and lush tropical fruit and green melon flavors that glide to a long, luxurious finish.
Each vineyard was picked and fermented separately. The grapes went directly to press as whole clusters where they were gently pressed in order to maximize quality. After settling, the juice was racked into French oak barrels for fermentation. The wine remained in barrel where it completed a partial secondary malolactic fermentation. The wines were blended together then put back to barrel to age 17 months in 38% new French oak. Each barrel was hand selected as a component of this blend. To further increase richness and body, the lees were occasionally stirred.
The 2023 vintage produced amazing wines. It was one of the coolest and latest harvests in over a decade. Ripening took its time, and acids were high, which creates wines of distinct flavor and varietal specificity. These conditions also produced wines that have naturally high acids and low alcohols, which is ideal for wine age-ability.
This blend combines fruit from five of our most prized vineyard sources, including the Mt. Eden 27, 95 and 809 clones from our Nightwing Estate Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap, Clone 4 from Sangiacomo Vineyard, an unknown heritage clone from Tollini Vineyard, and clones 76 and 95 from Wildcat Mountain Vineyard. Average brix across the sites was 23.8º and picking dates spanned September 29 to October 17, 2023. Each component was carefully selected by our team to create the harmonious symphony that is The Key.
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