Blend: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc Rigorous viticultural standards, including strict adherence to low yields, leaf pulling to promote maturity and color, and multiple passes through the vineyard to harvest only those clusters at maximum ripeness, are all done in the quest for Chalk Hill's unmistakable quality. This strict regimen of focused winegrowing is applied to all of their family-owned vineyards. The long stretch of dry, warm, autumn weather allowed for the slow progression toward full maturity, richness, weight, and flavor concentration. With read more...minimal intervention, the entire vintage was allowed to progress in small tanks through a predominately native-yeast fermentation. A careful cap management plan extracted layers of flavor, concentrated texture and nuance that found its way to barrel, to bottle and ultimately to the glass. Bolstered by the ripe, velvety tannins, the rich and expansive texture creates a lush mouthfeel and indicates cellar worthiness.    (hide)