GRAND VIN DE CALIFORNIE

2023 A2 Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon

AVA: Rutherford
Clones: 337 and 47.1
Rootstock: 101-14 Rootstock and 039-16 Rootstock
Soil: Gravelly Loam, Perkins and Boomer
Trellis/Training: Bi-Lateral Cordon, VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning)
Vineyard Manager:-
Harvest: 10/9/23 and 10/10/23
Brix: 25.4 °
Fermentation: 8-day cold soak, 21-day primary fermentation, malolactic conversion in barrels
pH: 3.6
TA: 5.4 g/L
Alc: 14.64%

Vintage:

A throwback vintage reminiscent of the before times, 2023 delivered incredible phenolic depth and complexity. After a decade of drought, vines had been pleading for water. 2023 began with one of the coldest, wettest winters on record. The plentiful rain provided the much-needed drink while chilly temperatures delayed budbreak by weeks, insuring vines would be safe from early spring frosts which plagued several properties in 2022. The late start, in concert with moderate temperatures throughout the growing season, allowed grapes to mature slowly while keeping sugars in check. The milder, balanced weather patterns revealed the most evenly ripened vintages of recent memory, with a tremendous potential of cellaring due to ample tannin and structure. While Mother Nature delivered a unicorn in its growing pattern, the 2023 harvest was anything but easy. With many varieties ready to pick at once, strategic maneuvers abounded as winemakers adapted to the influx of incoming fruit. The steady hands and experience of the cellar crew were essential to navigate such a challenging Harvest labyrinth.

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Vintage:

A throwback vintage reminiscent of the before times, 2023 delivered incredible phenolic depth and complexity. After a decade of drought, vines had been pleading for water. 2023 began with one of the coldest, wettest winters on record. The plentiful rain provided the much-needed drink while chilly temperatures delayed budbreak by weeks, insuring vines would be safe from early spring frosts which plagued several properties in 2022. The late start, in concert with moderate temperatures throughout the growing season, allowed grapes to mature slowly while keeping sugars in check. The milder, balanced weather patterns revealed the most evenly ripened vintages of recent memory, with a tremendous potential of cellaring due to ample tannin and structure. While Mother Nature delivered a unicorn in its growing pattern, the 2023 harvest was anything but easy. With many varieties ready to pick at once, strategic maneuvers abounded as winemakers adapted to the influx of incoming fruit. The steady hands and experience of the cellar crew were essential to navigate such a challenging Harvest labyrinth.

PURCHASE ONLINE

HISTORY

One of the most historic and coveted properties in the world -A2 Vineyard, as we denote it, was originally owned and planted by Thomas Rutherford in 1895. Georges de Latour, founder of Beaulieu, purchased the site in 1928 and it became the home to BV's Rutherford Cabernets made by the winemaker, Andre Tchelistcheff, throughout the '60's and '70's. The site was then purchased by Beckstoffer Vineyards in 1988. Thus, A2 stands for Andre and Andy, the two men pivotal to the founding and continuation of this preeminent property. The vineyard team has replanted using modern clones, trellising, and spacing to yield optimum quality. Wines from this site consistently score in the high 90s.