2019 Reserve Alchimie 750ml
Vineyard: The grapes for Hanna’s 2019 Alexander Valley Alchimie were grown on our Red Ranch in Alexander Valley. The property is bisected by Hoot Owl Creek. Below Hoot Owl Creek this benchland ranch is planted on Clough Series gravelly loam soil. Above Hoot Owl it planted on Laughlin Series Sandy Loam. These are soils of 2-foot depth and less. In 2019 the vineyard consisted of 50 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 10 acres of Malbec, two acres of Petit Verdot, and just over a half-acre of Saint Macaire. The Cabernet is planted to clones 7, 2 and 6. The Malbec is clone 9, the Petit Verdot is clone 400, and the Saint Macaire is a field selection.
Vintage 2019: Winter was mild and very wet (50 plus inches of rain), delaying bud break and setting the stage for a low irrigation year. Degree-days tracked a bit higher than 2018, with ideal weather and no temperature spikes until we had a few hot days in mid-August and late September-which alleviated any worries about our bit of mid-September rain. 2019 was an extremely long harvest with moderate weather continuing into early November. We harvested the grapes for our Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon between October 8, and November 4, 2019, at an average of 25.1o degrees Brix.
Winemaking: We harvested in the cool hours from midnight to sunrise. The grapes were 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. The newly pressed wines were racked to tank and allowed to settle before barreling. The wines were aged in 60-gallon French and Hungarian oak barrels from Remond and Trust and blended in January 2021.
Reserve Status: We regularly taste through our lots of Alexander Valley Bordeaux reds—Cabernet Sauvignon, St Macaire, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Exceptional lots and barrels are designated as potential blending components for our Reserve wines. Criteria are intensity of fruit, complexity, suppleness, color and potential for longevity.
Tasting Notes: A beautiful aubergine in the glass, our 2019 Alchimie is reminiscent of fragrant everlasting, Sonoma sage, sandalwood, Boysenberry, and black olive. By mouth an ensemble of Acai, cranberry, pomegranate, and dark chocolate flavors present deliciously, while this kitten purrs next to a winter’s fire. (Tasted 11-1-22)
Variety
68% Malbec, 19% Saint Macaire, 12% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard Location
HANNA Red Ranch
Age of Vines
Eight to 27 years
Alcohol 14.2%
pH 3.71
Titratable Acidity (TA) 0.56 g/100 mL
Residual Sugar 0.0%
Harvest Dates
October 8 to November 4, 2019
Avg. Brix at Harvest 25.1o
Fermentation Inoculated with commercial yeasts. 11 days skin contact.
Length/Type of Aging
20 months in 60-gallon French and Hungarian Oak barrels
Oak Types
36% new oak Remond and Trust
Bottling Date
August 27, 2021
Number of Cases: 165
Vegan