Vineyards
The rugged topography of the Santa Cruz Mountains limits the size of individual vineyards. The costs associated with planting small mountain vineyards limits the overall acreage devoted to grapes in this cool coastal appellation. In 1996, to ensure a continuing supply of high-quality fruit, Clos LaChance’s owners Bill and Brenda Murphy established CK Vines (www.ckvines.com), a vineyard maintenance and installation company specializing in “back-yard” vineyard development throughout the Santa Cruz Mountain appellation.
The Biagini Vineyard, planted in 1998, is assured a long growing season due to the cooling influence of the Monterey Bay during the summer growing season. Owned by San Jose resident Ted Biagini, the vineyard is approximately 11 planted acres. It yields between 2.5 and 3 tons per acre. There are four clones planted in the Biagini Vineyard including 113, 114, 115 and Mt. Eden.
Winemaking
After being hand-harvested, the grapes were immediately brought to the winery where they were hand-sorted and destemmed. They were allowed to cold soak before being fermented on the skins in open-top fermentors. The grapes were punched down 2-3 times per day through the peak of fermentation. When primary fermentation was complete, the wine was drained and pressed off the skins directly to barrel to finish malolactic fermentation. It was aged sur-lie for 12 months in 45% new French oak barrels. This wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Notes
Darker in color then our regular Santa Cruz Mountains blend. Aromas of fresh raspberries, dried cherries, cola and a touch of leather. Hints of bakers spice and vanilla. On the entry to the palate, the cherry flavor follows through, but more of a fresh, dark bing cherry flavor. Mouth-watering acids practically make my stomach growl for a piece of duck or fresh salmon to pair with this wine. A slight earthiness balances well with the fresh fruit—very Burgundian in style. On the finish, the spice combines nicely with the fruit and the earth. Tannins are medium, but balanced out by the cool weather acidity. A really beautiful wine.
