2015 Lancaster Estate Nicole's Proprietary Red
Winemaker Notes
The 2015 Nicole’s Proprietary Red is a blend created from the best barrels of our estate’s
finest vineyard blocks. The final composition consists of three of the Bordeaux varietals
grown here: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. Lush and full on the palate,
this wine has an intense core of dark cherry, currants and blackberry fruit with dark chocolate
and floral undertones. Balanced by its acidity, polished tannins, and exotic oak the wine
shows an underlying minerality in its lingering finish. Nicole’s should be decanted when
young, and should age for 20+ years.
Composition
77% Cabernet Sauvignon,
15% Malbec, 8% Petit Verdot
Wine Specs
Vintage
2015
Varietal
Red Blends
Appellation
Alexander Valley
Harvest Date
September 11 - October 9
Acid
5.8 g/L
pH
3.90
Aging
24 months in 100% French oak
Bottling Date
January 11, 2018
Alcohol %
14.80
Production Notes
It was a warmer than average year in
the Alexander Valley for the 2015
vintage. August was fairly moderate,
with a bit of a spike in temperature by
early September. We harvested all of
the fruit from September 11 - October
9 at peak ripeness. Yields were down
slightly, but the fruit was high quality
and concentration. Overall, the fruit
came in nicely delivering wines of
complexity and elegance.
Consistent with Lancaster Estate’s
commitment to making wines of
authenticity and place, all of our wines
are estate grown, produced and bottled.
Native yeasts are used for primary
fermentation while secondary malolactic
fermentation occurs naturally in barrel.
To preserve the truest expression of our
estate, the Lancaster Estate 2015
Nicole’s Proprietary Red was gently
fined and then bottled unfiltered. The 2015 was aged 24 months in 100%
French oak. We chose barrels from
several coopers including Darnajou,
Taransaud, Demptos, Ermitage, Saury,
and Bel Air. 100% of the barrels were
new and all were coopered using a
combination of Medium Plus, Medium
Long, and Heavy toast levels to provide
optimal integration and balance.
Production
Only 459 cases produced