The Paint of Moonlight

Winemaker’s Tasting Notes

Our warmest and most northerly vineyard, Pelkan Ranch never disappoints.

In 2018 we had our latest harvest ever as we experienced the most temperate of Octobers. We pick mainly for mature tannins and the resulting aromas are of opulent blueberry, roasted and cured meats, and a mélange of spices that are so intertwined, it is hard to dissect. In the palate this wine is all mountain density and finesse. It’s weight of rich, dark fruit is never cloying, always lifted by the freshness coming from this elevated site.

The fruits are a blend of cassis, blueberry and a violet component. The oak, present, serves to focus the flavors and aromatics. This is just so delicious up front and finishes with ample, yet chewy tannins. I expect this wine to please all those who open it now, but will truly enthrall those that have the patience to lay it down.

Drink now - 2038

Winegrowing Approach

Again, in 2018 I did not need to make quick, forced decisions due to weather. I took my time and waited for the optimal confluence of tannin, acid, and flavor maturity.

Picked on a cold morning on October 22nd 2018, this 100% cabernet was destemmed completely and fermented in stainless steel tanks. I don’t adhere to a recipe for my wines, there is always a bit of a plan, but every day that changes and melds into something unique for each wine as they show themselves. This wine in particular just kept getting better and better in the fermenter. We went 62 days before pressing - well beyond 14-day fermentation that most cabernet receives in Napa.

The wine brought me on a wild ride of flavor and structure over this period. Once fermentation finished and the wine has no more sugar, the tannins readily increased. Honestly, it gets to a point where it is nearly undrinkable, but the tannins on this wine were never harsh or angular. Yes, the saturation point was intense, but the tannins bound together and elongated once they reached critical mass. Essentially the wine is much more stable, chemically, and more enjoyable.

The wine as it stands at release is fully structured with tannins that are inviting and balance perfectly with the opulent flavors.

This wine was aged in the finest French oak for 16 months, 85% of which was new oak. It was bottled without filtration or fining.

60 cases made

Bottled May 25th 2020

Technical Information

• Elevation: 1100 feet above sea level

• Soil: Volcanic, very iron-rich soils with ferric sedimentary rocks, basalt, andesite

• Slope and Aspect: North-east facing, slope 20%

• Farming: Sustainable, all by hand

• Fermentation: 100% destemmed, 20-day fermentation, 60 days total on skins

• Aging: 100% new French oak for 15 months, racked only once (prior to bottling)

• Production: 60 cases bottled May 25th, 2020, neither fined nor filtered

• Alcohol: 14.9%