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2021 PLUMPJACK MERLOT

AVA: Napa Valley

Varietals: 98% Merlot

2% Malbec

Production: 3,500 cases

Alcohol: 15.2%

VINTAGE

In 2021, Napa Valley received only about one-third of our average rainfall, which showed in the vineyards. The vines were stressed, and yields were extremely low. While this isn’t good for business, it’s great for wine quality. The grapes were small, and the flavors were highly concentrated, which allowed us to craft wines of great intensity and depth. And with the deft hands of our winemaking team, we were able to maintain focus, precision, elegance, and beauty in these wines.

VINEYARDS

Our Merlot is grown in two regions within Napa Valley: Oak Knoll and Carneros. Oak Knoll, nestled up to the Mayacamas Mountain Range on the west side of the valley, has a mild climate allows the grapes to develop bright aromatics and flavors, along with a beautiful natural acidity and elegance. The alluvial soils bring darker fruits to the nose and palate, giving structure and concentration to the wine. Carneros has a cooler climate, bringing an earthy, wet stone element to the nose along with beautiful fruit, that helps to preserve color in grape skins that lends to the beauty of the wine swirling in your glass, and adding depth and weight to the palate to perfectly balance the tannin.

FERMENTATION & AGING

The grapes were cold-soaked for 3-5 days before the onset of fermentation, which reached a maximum of 92°F, then pressed off the skins after 8-9 days before moving into oak barrels and undergoing malolactic fermentation. The oak barrels were 66% new and 34% once-filled. The Merlot barrels were 90% French Oak Bordeaux and 10% American Oak. The coopers used were Sylvain, Taransaud, Nadalie, and Demptos. The touch of Malbec adds depth and weight to the palate. The Merlot aged for 18 months before bottling.

AVA: Napa Valley

Varietals: 100% Syrah

Production: 1,014 cases

Alcohol: 15.0%

VINTAGE

In 2021, Napa Valley received only about one-third of our average rainfall, which showed in the vineyards. The vines were stressed, and yields were extremely low. While this isn’t good for business, it’s great for wine quality. The grapes were small, and the flavors were highly concentrated, which allowed us to craft wines of great intensity and depth. And with the deft hands of our winemaking team, we were able to maintain focus, precision, elegance, and beauty in these wines.

VINEYARDS

Our Syrah grapes are grown in Los Carneros, the southernmost AVA of Napa Valley, just north of the San Pablo Bay at the northern lobe of the San Francisco Bay. These vineyards offer dramatically cooler weather than the more northern regions of Napa Valley due to the cooling effect of the San Pablo Bay, making for exceptional growing conditions Syrah. The fruit from the mountainous region of Atlas Peak is at higher elevations, which also has cooler daytime temperatures than much of the valley floor. This vineyard site is on a slope with very rocky and shallow soils, which adds stress to the vines and gives us a darker fruit profile, great concentration, and firm tannin.

FERMENTATION & AGING

Of the grapes, 46% were destemmed and fermented in stainless steel tanks and 25% in concrete tanks, cold soaked for 4 days, and fermented at a maximum temperature of 92°F, then pressed off skins after 7 days. The remaining 29% were whole-cluster fermented in open-top tanks and barrels, fermented at a maximum temperature of 87°F, then pressed off skins after 8 days. The wine was then transferred to French Oak Burgundy barrels and underwent malolactic fermentation. The wine was kept on heavy lees for several months and stirred once a month. The coopers used were Francois Freres, Meyrieux, and Sirugue—68% new. The wine aged for 18 months before bottling.

2012 PLUMPJACK ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON

AVA: Oakville

Varietals: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon

3% Petit Verdot

Production: 302 barrels

Alcohol: 15.4%

VINTAGE

The 2012 vintage was a classic vintage. We saw beautiful conditions from start to finish. The spring was mild, which allowed for a normal budbreak. The weather held through spring, resulting in ideal conditions for bloom and set. The summer months were consistently warm with cool nights, and our grapes were slowly gaining sugars while the flavors were developing, and the tannins were maturing. This trend carried over into the fall, allowing us to let our fruit hang on the vine to develop deep and intense flavors and aromatics with a beautiful, refined tannin. Light, late rains arrived just as the last grapes were coming off the vine.

FERMENTATION & AGING

The Estate grapes were cold soaked for a period of 2-4 days and then fermented up to a maximum temperature of 92 degrees for a period of 10-12 days. The wines were pressed after reaching optimal extraction, concentration, and mouthfeel. We extended the maceration on a few lots to 30-40 days to accentuate the dark fruit and to further refine the tannin. This wine is being aged in 80% new French Oak barrels. The coopers that are used in this wine are primarily Sylvain, Taransaud, Nadalie, and Seguin Moreau. These barrels are a blend of M+ and heavy toast barrels from a variety of forests.

WINEMAKER IMPRESSIONS

The long, mild growing season allowed for a long hang time with even ripening and outstanding flavor development and tannin maturity. The flavors coming out of our Estate vineyard in Oakville were absolutely amazing and these flavors have persisted throughout fermentation and aging. The fruit on the nose is intense and lively with aromas of black cherry and raspberry followed by iron, crushed granite, and sage, all laced with mocha and vanilla. This wine has a rich and concentrated palate with great structure and an enduring finish.

2013 PLUMPJACK ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON

AVA: Oakville

Varietals: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon

3% Petit Verdot

Production: 5,400 cases

Alcohol: 15.4%

VINTAGE

Mother Nature defines each vintage for a fine wine, and the 2013 vintage is no exception. In the winter of 2013, we saw above average temperatures and little rainfall in the Napa Valley. The warm, dry weather was persistent, and the results were significant. We saw early budbreak, smaller grapevine canopies, and less fruit than normal. Also, the grapes were smaller and had much thicker skins than we typically see. These grapes were packed with flavor, and the color, intensity, and concentration was out of this world. Needless to say, these grapes resulted in spectacular wines that are rich, bold, and highly structured.

FERMENTATION & AGING

The Estate grapes were cold soaked for a period of 2-4 days and then fermented up to a maximum temperature of 94 degrees. The high concentration of tannin, color, and flavor in our estate grapes resulted in wines that reached desired extraction in a very short time, and the wines were drained off the skins after a total maceration of only 7-12 days. The wine was then racked to barrel to undergo malolactic fermentation and to age. This wine was aged in 80% new French oak barrels. The coopers used were primarily Sylvain, Taransaud, Nadalie, and Seguin Moreau. These barrels are a blend of M+ and heavy toast barrels from a variety of forests. This blend of coopers, forests, and toasts lends the wine more layers and aromatic complexity.

WINEMAKER IMPRESSIONS

The warm, dry weather that we experienced in 2013 gave us small, thickskinned grapes packed with color, flavor, and tannin. This character really translated through to the wines. The 2013 PlumpJack Estate Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of raspberry, blueberry, and black cherry with subtle notes of sage, iron filings, wet granite, baker’s chocolate, and vanilla. The palate is rich and opulent with fresh fruit flavors of blackberry and raspberry, layered with chocolate and warming spice. The density and structure are beautifully balanced by a natural acidity that helps to draw out the finish.

2014 PLUMPJACK ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON

AVA: Oakville

Varietals: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon

5% Petit Verdot

Production: 6,500 cases

Alcohol: 15.6%

VINTAGE

2014 was a vintage to remember. We saw an unseasonably warm and dry winter, which resulted in budbreak about three weeks earlier than normal. The temperatures remained warm throughout spring bringing early bloom. The summer months brought ideal weather, which gave our grapes some time to develop flavor without rapidly accumulating sugar. We saw a heat spike in September that sent some vintners scrambling, but we held fast and our grapes made it through in great condition, and the result was wines with great beauty, depth, and grace.

FERMENTATION & AGING

The Estate grapes were cold soaked for a period of 2-4 days and then fermented up to a maximum temperature of 94 degrees. The wines from each block on our Estate developed incredible tannin, color, and flavor concentration in a very short time, and the wines were drained off the skins after a total maceration of only 7-12 days. The wine was then racked to barrel to undergo malolactic fermentation and to age. This wine was aged in 80% new French Oak barrels. The coopers used were primarily Sylvain, Taransaud, Nadalie, and Seguin Moreau. The cooperage is a blend of medium-plus and heavy toast barrels from a variety of forests. This blend of coopers, forests, and toasts lends the wine more layers and aromatic complexity.

WINEMAKER IMPRESSIONS

“Early” was the theme in 2014. Though early, the growing season was exceptional and the quality of the fruit was outstanding. Aromatically expressive, this wine delivers notes of black cherry, ripe raspberry, and hints of sage and clove. On the palate, layered flavors of bing cherry, chocolate, mocha, vanilla bean, and warming spice round out this rich and balanced wine. The 2014 vintage is beautifully structured and is full of energy – elegantly smooth tannins and vibrantly firm acidity make this wine ideal for drinking now or cellaring for 10-15 years.

2019 PLUMPJACK ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON

AVA: Oakville

Varietals: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon

6% Petit Verdot

5% Malbec

Production: 7,672 cases

Alcohol: 15.4%

VINTAGE

Near record rainfall. Late budbreak. Late bloom. Late veraison. Late ripening. For the second consecutive vintage, the key was patience. The vines emerged from their dormancy later than is typical and they reached all their milestones later as well. As in 2018, it seemed the grapes would never ripen. So, we waited. Then, in early October, everything began to change. The flavors in the grapes grew deeper and richer, the skins began to grow thinner, the tannin became less astringent, and the color of the grapes was more easily extracted from the skins. Our patience paid off and the resulting wines are stunning.

FERMENTATION & AGING

The Estate grapes were cold soaked for 4-6 days to coax out more color while maintaining a velvety tannin. The grapes were then fermented up to a maximum temperature of 94°F. The wines were drained off the skins after a total maceration of 9-12 days and racked to barrel to undergo malolactic fermentation and to age. This wine was aged in 100% French oak barrels, 73% of which were new. The coopers used were primarily Sylvain, Taransaud, Cavin, and Nadalie. The cooperage is a blend of medium, medium-plus, and heavy toast barrels from a variety of forests. This blend of coopers, forests, and toasts adds layers and aromatic complexity to the wine. The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was bottled after 20 months of aging.

WINEMAKER IMPRESSIONS

The nose of the 2019 PlumpJack Estate Cabernet Sauvignon bursts with juicy fruits – blackberry, dark plum, boysenberry, and muddled raspberries. These fruit aromas mingle with notes of cardamom, cinnamon, molasses, damp earth, iron, and sage. The palate has a gorgeous, silky entry also expressing notes of blackberry, plum, spice, molasses, and sage. The wine is beautifully structured with finely integrated, velvety tannin, and fi nishes exceptionally long.

experience plumpjack

CURRENT RELEASE EXPERIENCE

Indulge in our newest releases in the ambiance of our outdoor patio, nestled amidst our century-old 42acre Estate Vineyard. During this 45-minute tasting, you’ll be introduced to the artistry and craftsmanship of our Winemaker, Aaron Miller, while savoring artisanal cheese.

HILLTOP EXPERIENCE

Our Hilltop Experience invites relaxation, reflection, and refined pleasure, where every sip tells a story of uncompromising excellence. During this intimate 60-minute experience on our serene hilltop, enveloped by our surrounding 42-acre century-old Estate Vineyard, you’ll embark on a sensory journey through our wines, including a library selection of Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, while savoring artisanal cheeses and chocolate pairing crafted by Earth & Sky. Please note this experience is available from May to October, weather permitting.

PRIVATE EXPERIENCES

Whether you are looking for an intimate setting to celebrate a special occasion or host a private group tasting, we can tailor the experience to meet your needs.For inquiries, please contact our team at: wineryevents@plumpjack.com