HARVESTED: September 17, 2014
VINEYARD LOCATION: In Saratoga, off the historic Mount Eden Road where some of California’s first
vines were planted over 100 years ago, set high on a steep southeast facing slope rests the venerable
“Lonehawk” vineyard.
SOILS: Deep gravelly loam
BOTTLED: February 2015
COMPOSITION: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon,
ALCOHOL: 13.9%
PRODUCTION: 50 cases
WINEMAKER: Colin McNany
VINTAGE NOTES
In our third straight year of a record breaking drought, bud break began early due to the lack of
groundwater available for the vines. However, half of our annual rainfall poured down in the spring when
the vines needed it the most. Cold winds during flowering, in combination with drought, reduced the
amount of crop / fruit set. However, the rest of the growing season was warm and even, allowing us to
carefully harvest at ideal time frames. As yields were slightly down, quality remained incredible,
potentially surpassing the last 2 vintages in skin to juice ratio. The August 4th start of harvest in the
Santa Cruz Mountains was the earliest in the 70 years of recorded history at Mount Eden.
WINEMAKING NOTES
Lonehawk is our highest-end Cabernet vineyard, as well as the only vineyard designate. The entire lot
was destemmed, hand sorted, and tipped into a 3 ton open top stainless steel tank. The fruit was cold
soaked for 5 days and then inoculated with the BDX commercial yeast strain. The ferment received a
mixture of punchdowns and pumpovers to promote extraction. The wine is kept on skins up to 20 days
via extended maceration. Aged in 25% new French oak for 22 months with 100% native malolactic
fermentation. Racked once to tank, gravity feed to bottle.
TASTING NOTES
Alpine strawberries, orange rind, black olives and bay leaves give way to a dusty mouthfeel with
well-integrated tannins.
CELLARING
Enjoy between now and 10 years.