Cenay Releases

2000 BLUE TOOTH CABERNET SAUVIGNON Just in Time (Management) Cellular Phone Saves the 2000 Blue Tooth Harvest! I was in the vineyard testing grapes, analyzing sugar levels. It was 2 pm. Armed with my trusty cell phone at my side, I made the decision to pick the fruit at its peak of ripeness. While I walked up and down the rows, I made urgent calls to secure the pickers, delivery trucks and informed the winery that we needed to harvest within 3 days. Why the drama? By 5 p.m. that night, the forecast was for rain in 5 days. By 8 p.m. all Napa Valley was trying to harvest, no truckers or pickers were available. That night I got home from the winery at 9 p.m. … too late. If not for my indispensable cell phone, there would have been a different outcome! Our fruit in 2000 had the long "hang time" typically associated with south-eastern Napa Valley. Cool nights and warm days produced an intriguing array of ripe berry fruits and fresh spices, increasing complexity with a greater layering of flavors. And yes, we did harvest the fruit at its peak of flavor-before the rain. Notes and Stats Yield: Removal of fruit at verasion resulted in a low 2 tons per acre Vineyard Data: Vertical trellis with de-leafing around the clusters for color and flavor Yeast: 30% Wild yeast, 70% cultivated Rhone Valley yeast Time on Skins: 24 days on skins, 100% co-fermentation of varieties Fermentation Type: 48 hr cold soak, 100% Whole berry Cooperage: 50% New oak, 50% 1-2 year old blend of French oak Cepage: Cabernet Sauvignion 82%, Merlot 18% Clarification: Lightly-fined Vineyard Location: 100% Blue Tooth Vineyard, Oak Knoll Appellation Production: 650 cases Release Date: January 1, 2003     Winemakers Notes: A wine of elegance and finesse, with deep ruby color and supple tannins. Aromas include a rich bouquet of blueberries, mineral scents and cigar box. Back to Releases page... Also be sure to learn about...