2016 Reserve Petit Verdot

Vineyard: The grapes for Hanna’s 2016 Reserve Petit Verdot were grown on the steep west-facing terrace on our Red Ranch in Alexander Valley. The vineyard is planted to 50 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 10 acres of Malbec, two-and-a-half acres of Merlot, two acres of Petit Verdot, and just over a half acre of Saint Macaire. The Cabernet is planted to clones 7, 2, 6, 412 and 685. The Malbec is clone 9, the Merlot is clone 3, the Petit Verdot is clone 400, and the Saint Macaire is a field selection. 

Vintage 2016: Following adequate winter rains, the 2016 growing season began early again as the trend toward warmer winters continues. There was almost no frost pressure and the season progressed without significant weather worries. A single heat spike in July was short lived. This was followed by a glorious, easy ripening August and September that allowed the grapes to hang until late September into mid-October. Grapes for this blend were harvested from September 27, until October 12 at an average of 27.2o Brix.

Winemaking: We hand harvested in the cool hours from midnight to sunrise. The grapes were hand-sorted, destemmed and partially crushed to stainless steel fermentation tanks. Pressing was done to taste, based on daily tastings of the wines after pump over, with an average of seven days skin contact. The newly pressed wines were racked to tank and allowed to settle before barreling. The wine was racked three times in its first year and once in its second year. Aging was in 100% 60-gallon French & Hungarian barrels, 39% new, from Trust, Remond, and Nadalie.

Tasting Notes: Opaque, nearly black in the glass, redolent of cassis, sage and graphite. By mouth it has flavors of mint, blueberry, and roasted pecan. It is surprisingly soft with a creamy, polished finish. (Tasted 11-11-20).

Variety: 75% Petit Verdot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Malbec, 5% Saint Macaire, 1% Merlot

Vineyard Location: HANNA Red Ranch Petit Verdot block 26, Saint Macaire block 32, Cab blocks 33, 4, 2, 11, & 21, Merlot block 15, Malbec block 1

Age of Vines: 5-26 years

Alcohol: 15.8%

pH: 3.85

Titratable Acidity (TA): 0.60 g/100 mL

Residual Sugar: 0.2%

Avg. Brix at Harvest: 27.2o

Length/Type of Aging: 21 months in 60 gal Hungarian & French oak barrels 

Oak Types: 24% new French oak coopered by Trust and Remond, 15% new Hungarian oak coopered by Nadalie and Trust

Bottling Date: August 9, 2018

Number of Cases: 311