Vintage Summary

Ron Siletto, a longtime icon of San Benito Viticulture, is the primary source of Cabernet Pfeffer in San Benito County, where the variety is grown, and nowhere else in the world. In France it’s known as Mourtaou/Mancin, an old variety from Bordeaux. There are less than 10 acres of it in the world.

The 2019 growing season was relatively mild, much like 2018, with a few key differences. We had elevated rainfall for the winter months, and budbreak started in mid-April, followed by some late rains in May, which helped provide the needed moisture for a larger than average crop. Close to perfect fruit set and a lack of extreme heat led to long hang time, high flavor development and low sugar accumulation.  Harvested on October 5th, 2019.

Winemaking

The grapes were picked by hand on September 17th, 2020. At the winery the grapes were given 15 days of whole cluster maceration in redwood fermenters to extract tannins, aroma, and flavor compounds in the skins via once daily pumpovers. About one third of the crop was destemmed. After pressing and settling, the wine was racked into old barrels for 10 months elevage on fine lees. Racked to tank a month prior to bottling we ever use is sulfur.  Bottled August 14th, 2021. 245 cases produced.

Wine Stats

Brix at harvest: 22.7

Titratable Acidity: 6.2 g/L

pH: 3.79

Residual Sugar: 0.0 g/L

Alcohol: 13%