Cabernet Sauvignon | Block 007 v.2018 SONOMA COUNTY, DRY CREEK VALLEY
Single Vineyard—Block 007:
Our vineyards are assigned block numbers to identify them as they are planted. Block 007 refers to one portion of our vineyard located a mile west of the winery, on the eastern bench above Dry Creek, and has caught the attention of our winemaking team because it consistently produces the fruit of singular quality.
We farm 31 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon on our estate and were the first to plant the king of red wine grapes in Dry Creek Valley circa 1965. Block 007 was established in 1992 on the Scott Henry trellis system which splits the cordon arms into a double tier with the upper arm usually bearing about 3 tons of grapes per acres while the lower arm bears about 2 tons per acre. This is for optimum production and ripeness. The soil is well-drained and located next to Canyon Creek where it is gravelly and ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon.
Winemaking:
Plenty of rain and an even-handed growing season were the hallmarks of the 2018 harvest. The even and slow ripening of the grapes afforded the all-important hang time for great development in the fruit. With this slow maturity, it rounded the tannins and elevated flavors and aromas. The block was picked on October 8. The juice and berries are cold-soaked for 48 hours and then inoculated with the Bordeaux yeast strain. Fermentation in our small capacity temperature-controlled stainless steel tank gave optimal skin/juice ratio and better extraction of flavor and color. The young wine was transferred to small American oak barrels to age for eighteen months with 40% new oak.
Tasting Notes:
Enticing aromas of toasty oak, dried herbs, blackberry, and plum notes are typical of this vineyard’s personality. Berry flavors combine with spicy black pepper and a touch of vanilla. A long earthy finish framed by toasted oak and lasting fruit is simply elegant. Good acidity and firm tannins lead to great aging potential. Obviously this wine has no connection to a world-famous British Special Agent. It’s simply the name of a vineyard block…007, Block 007.
APPELLATION: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
COMPOSITION: 100% Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
BARREL AGING: 18 months in American oak barrels, 40% new
ALCOHOL: 14.5%
pH: 3.65
TOTAL ACIDITY: .600g/100ml
Pedroncelli Winery has come a long way since 1927, when John Pedroncelli, Sr. purchased vineyards and a small winery in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley. Today, the vineyards are planted to premium grape varieties, the winery is filled with modern equipment, and wines bearing the Pedroncelli name grace tables from coast to coast. But two elements from 70 years ago remain unchanged: the exceptional place the Pedroncelli family grows grapes, and the family's dedication to making fine wines.
