2010 Ancient Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles

2009 Ancient Peak Cabernet Sauvignon



VINEYARDS Our estate Margarita Vineyard is situated along the top of the Cuesta Grade, approximately 22 miles south of the city of Paso Robles and just 14 miles as the crow flies from the Pacific Ocean. Here, the surrounding peaks of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range act as a gateway between the ocean-cooled environs below the grade and the warmer climes above the grade. When the days heat up in the areas north and east of Margarita Vineyard, the air rises to create a vacuum that pulls marine breezes and fogs inland over the peaks, and right through the vineyard. This phenomenon creates one of the coolest growing environments in the Paso Robles appellation, resulting in fruit of remarkable dimension and complexity. As the only vineyard in its vicinity, Margarita Vineyard is alone in benefiting from the climatic attributes of its location.

WINEMAKING The grapes were harvested at an average of 24 degrees Brix. After destemming and light crushing, the must was fermented in stainless steel tanks with pumpovers three times daily. On the third day of fermentation, a venturi valve introduced to the pumpovers, oxygenating the fermentation environment for the development of a clean fruit profile. The wine was racked to a combination of French and American oak barrels, where it aged for 16 months prior to blending and bottling. The final blend incorporated small lots of Petite Verdot, Malbec and Petite Syrah for enhanced weight, structure and dimension.