2018 Kukeri Proprietary Red Blend, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley

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Tasting Notes

Bold and balanced the 2018 Kukeri Stags Leap Red Blend, exhibiting aromas of dark fruit, cherry, pepper, and smokiness accented with spice herbal notes. A hint of black currant and cranberry, light cedary oak and dusty baking cocoa combine these aromatics to create this rich full-bodied Bordeaux red blend with great acidity, which makes a perfect accompaniment to any grilled meat dishes.

Winemaking

The grapes were handpicked, destemmed and allowed to cold soak for 3 days to help stabilize the color and enhance flavor. It was fermented for 15 days and punched down 2 times a day, with an additional 3 days extended maceration to increase extraction of color and phenolic compounds. The wine is then gently pressed and aged on fine lees for 18 months in mixture of 80% French and 20% American oak barrels with 30% new French oak to preserve the delicate notes and mouthfeel

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The Stags Leap District is the Napa Valley smallest and most acclaimed sub-appellation. Located along the Silverado Trail, just a few miles north of Napa; the Stags Leap District was named after a legendary story of a courageous stag that eluded hunters by jumping to safety on the jagged cliffs of the Vaca Mountains.

The Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Petite Verdot grapes used in the blend are grown in the unique mixture of rocky, iron-rich volcanic soils that run along the rugged hillside to the east and gravelly riverbed soils on the western edge of the appellation.