2018 Prevail West Face, Alexander Valley
Winemaker Notes
PreVail West Face is an exquisite, full-bodied wine with aromas of toffee, cassis, blackberry, mocha, nutmeg and vanilla. On the palate, plum galette, baking spice and a touch of leather provide layers of interest supported by ample tannin. This wine’s bold profile will continue to evolve and age beautifully.
Food Pairing Notes
PreVail West Face pairs well with braised, roasted or barbecued meats such as chicken, red meat, lamb or pork. Pastas, stews or well-aged medium and strong-flavored cheeses, such as Taleggio, also pair nicely.
Composition
61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Syrah
Wine Specs
Vintage
2018
Varietal
Red Blends
Appellation
Alexander Valley
Acid
5.6 g/L
pH
3.86
Aging
18 months in French oak, 45% new
Bottling Date
July 20, 2020
Alcohol %
15.1
Production Notes
The grapes are hand harvested, and upon entering the winery, hand sorted and then gravity fed directly into oak and stainless steel tanks for five days of cold soaking. Following the cold soak, yeast is added and pump overs commence, one to two times daily, for the duration of primary fermentation. After primary fermentation, the wine is drained and pressed to barrels for malolactic fermentation, then aged in the wine caves for 18 months. This vintage was bottled
unfined in July 2020.
Vineyard Notes
The grapes for this Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah blend are grown on the steep slopes of Ferrari-Carano’s LookOut Mountain which sits at the junction of Alexander Valley, Knights Valley and Chalk Hill Appellations. This mountain vineyard, soaring in elevation from 500 to 1,400 feet, is comprised of ancient, weathered sandstone and
sandy loam soils bearing low-yielding vines. The 2018 season was a very good year with ideal weather conditions for the vines. Spring
produced great set, and average rainfall led to good yields. Consistently warm temperatures during the summer months without any drastic heat spikes or rain events allowed for longer “hang time” for the grapes, which led to fully ripe flavors.