"The Tillerman" Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2017

HOOK & LADDER "THE TILLERMAN" ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON BLEND 2017 Los Amigos Ranch Chalk Hill Red Blend

BLEND
49% Cabernet Sauvignon
26% Cabernet Franc
24%Merlot
1% Sangiovese

THE VINEYARDS:
Chalk Hill is an appellation with, generally, warmer days than in the rest of the Russian River Valley, with a variety of volcanic and alluvial soils across the western foothills of the Mayacamas range, rising 200 to 300 feet in elevation. Here, at our Los Amigos Ranch, just South of Healdsburg, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Sangiovese develop deep, bold flavors.

THE GROWING SEASON:
Coming off one of the wettest winters on record, the 2017 growing season soon normalized with bud break occurring later than that of the drought years. Throughout summer we saw numerous heat waves that sped the maturation of the vines, while a cooler August allowed our fruit to ripen more slowly and evenly leading up to the pick.

THE WINEMAKING:
With this blend we strive for a boldly flavored, balanced, well-structured red wine. To achieve this, we evaluate various lots and varieties grown at our Los Amigos Ranch. As every vintage is unique, so too is our Tillerman blend, with each varietal component complementing the whole, after aging separately in European and American Oak for 18 months.

THE WINE:
In fire-fighting parlance, a “tillerman” steers the back of a hook & ladder truck. Our founder, Cecil De Loach, held this position in the San Francisco Fire Department. This years' Tillerman red blend displays a mix of dark maroon and scarlet tones with aromas of cinnamon, spicy bing cherry, and anise. Full flavors of ripe fig and blackberry abound while finishing with trace coffee and dark cocoa covered currants.

HARVESTED: September 19- October 1, 2017
ALCOHOL: 14.2%
TA: .57
pH: 3.62
CASES PRODUCED: 4,303
AGING: 18 Months in European and American Oak
ESTATE BOTTLED: July 25, 2019
WINEMAKER: Jason De Loach