Our second vintage from Black Ridge is a "Bordeaux" blend. This was always the intention, but didn't work logistically last year. All of the varieties were harvested on the same day, September 9, completely destemmed, and then co-fermented in one tank. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot, and 8% Petite Verdot. Lean, herbal, with cedar, graphite, and cherry fruit, this is a wine that idealizes the Santa Cruz Mountains. This is the kind of wine that I can envision Chaffee Hall getting excited about as a Bordeaux collector who planted grapes and started making wine in the early 1900s in the Santa Cruz Moutains. A wine that sails in the the imaginary gulf between "old" and "new" world wine expectations, fully ripe, but not overipe fruit integrated with tannins to provide structure in a way that should age wonderfully. Alc. 13.4%, pH 3.56, TA 6.75