Description
WINEMAKER NOTES:
Founded in 2010, Aviary Vineyards launched with the 2009 vintage of our Napa Valley Red Blend. That first vintage took advantage of small lots from 13 different vineyards throughout the Napa Valley. Much like an aviary, the blend of different grapes created something more special than each component on its own. We strive to craft wines that are captivating and enjoyable. We want to express the big, bold flavors that are uniquely California, but presented in a balances and elegant style with a smooth finish. We are a team, a family, a community, and like an aviary, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
The 2020 vintage in California was the most stressful harvest of our history…fires, smoke, COVID, labor shortages, and just the psychological stress of the year. But like a grapevine, our team thrived under the stressful conditions. Many wineries and vineyards in northern Napa Valley lost entire vintages, acres of vines, buildings. It was a heartbreaking season. Those of us in the southern part of the valley were spared the destruction, but this is a small community and many friends and staff were affected. We were lucky to make this wine from 2020. There isn’t much of it, but we’ll raise a glass to perseverance and rising from the ashes.
TASTING NOTES:
Our vineyards in Carneros and Combsville were spared from the fire, but a lot of work went towards making sure issues of smoke contamination were not expressed in the wine. We had to do some work on the finished wines, so added Malbec to lift the color and texture of the wine overall. We used much more neutral oak and kept things in barrel for an extended period to make sure no smoke was showing. We managed to keep the wine smooth and elegant with flavors of dark berries and plums popping from the espresso and dark chocolate notes. A beautiful wine that we recommend enjoying young.
VARIETALS:
90% Cabernet Sauvignon 5% Merlot 5% Malbec
APPELLATION:
Napa Valley, California, USA
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