2017 Six Degrees Cabernet Sauvignon

Harvest date: September 12, 2017
Brix: 25.0 and pH: 3.70
Alcohol: 14.6
Production: 270 cases
100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Clone 337

It has been a long 3 years since our last release of Six Degrees. From an extremely low yield in 2015, which saw all 2 barrels of Six Degrees blended into the 2015 Junior, to a tree falling onto a fence and all the wildlife destroying the 2016 crop; Six Degrees is back and produced a stellar wine for us to enjoy! First, some thoughts on the wild 2017 season.

The 2017 growing season started off with record setting rainfalls that were much appreciated after almost five years of drought. However, the abundance of rain and moisture delayed some vineyard management and pushed the beginning of the growing season into a later start. Then the sky began to clear and the 2017 growing season began to look up with sunny and warm conditions.

As flowering started, a wide variety of weather conditions kept us busy. Late lifting foggy and windy days, as well as unusual heat spikes all made for an eclectic mix of conditions. In June, several heat spikes drove canopy growth and kept us on our toes, but also seemed to leave clusters with smaller berries and berry weights lighter than normal.

Then as the last weekend of August gave way to September, extreme heat made its way into Sonoma County setting off a furious picking schedule, including Six Degrees.

2017 Six Degrees Tasting Notes

This beautiful vineyard has given us a wine that shows luscious aromas of blackberry and cherry pie, cassis, sweet licorice with hints of lightly toasted oak. A silky and smooth mouthfeel with flavors of berry fruit, toasty vanilla, and hints of dark chocolate. Lively acid and beautifully polished tannins bring a long, lush finish. Enjoy for many, many years to come!

Enjoy! Cheers!