2006 Pride Mountain Reserve Claret (750ml)

Description

Our goal is to make intensely flavored wines that reflect and honor our unique growing situation at 2100? elevation.? Our vineyards mainly face south and are above the fog layer which results in vines bathed in sunshine from morning to evening throughout the growing season.? Our morning low temperatures are much higher than in the surrounding valleys while our afternoon high temperatures are much lower.? Due to this, our vines are physiologically active for most of each 24-hour period during the ripening season even if the grapes do not ripen faster than in the valleys due to our cooler afternoon temperatures.? These distinct growing conditions result in big red wines that are on the black-fruit side of the ripeness spectrum but that nonetheless are loaded with varietal character and a nice amount of acidity on the finish.? The viognier and chardonnay have mid-palate richness due to all of our sunshine but are able to maintain acidity and excitement on the finish.? Our whites are distinguished by having a strong flavor intensity while simultaneously remaining fresh and lively in the mouth.

  The 2006 growing season was a long, temperate one that culminated in some of the longest hang times in our history. Harvested in mid-November, our redolent Lower Mountain Top Merlot block (the perennial contributor to our Vintner Select Merlot as well) forms the backbone of this cuvee, comprising 67% of the blend. The balance of the blend is sourced from our Rock Arch, Carolyn?s and Rim Rock blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon, providing the structure to balance the opulent Merlot. The effusive nose reveals ripe black plum, morello cherries and blueberries layered upon spice tones of nutmeg, cocoa and roasted coffee beans. On the palate, the concentrated dark fruit of the attack leads into a sumptuous mid-palate and finishes with very ripe tannins that provide a lingering velvety structure.