Grapes: 100% Muscat Canelli
Region: Dollarhide Estate Vineyard, Napa Valley.
Winemaker’s Notes: This opulent wine is brilliantly colored with bright yellow and gold hues. Sweet aromas of white blossom and honey suckle mingle with mandarin orange and quince paste. Flavors of ripe honeydew melon and orange blossom are supported by notes of dried apricot and tangerine zest that linger. With a round texture and crisp acidity, this wine is a delight to drink on its own or with food.
Vintage: In 2019, we experienced a very wet winter and spring, capturing 41” of rain at Dollarhide. A mild spring with one late-May rainfall resulted in damp soils and healthy canopy growth. Other than one mid-June heat spell reaching 104 degrees, summer was warm and dry, allowing for consistent and balanced ripening. Late summer and early fall continued to provide steady warmth. It was a good even ripening season with a mild summer resulting in excellent wine of great flavor and density.
After achieving the desired flavors on the vine, the Muscat Canelli was harvested in the cool morning hours in an effort to preserve the delicate flavors. The fruit was received in the cellar, where the grapes were pressed to tank and immediately chilled and settled prior to fermentation. All fermentation was completed in stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures to maintain and enhance the natural flavors. The final blend was completed soon thereafter to capture the lovely bright qualities and intensity of flavor of the variety.
Analysis: Alcohol 11%, pH 3.01, acidity 7.8 g/L, Residual sugar 5.0%
