| TASTE BENCHMARKS |
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Profile #1
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| Appearance |
Highly colored fruit.
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| Aroma |
Intense blackberries, which can be a bit closed in youth.
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| Flavor |
Some hardness to the tannins.
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| Balance |
Soft acidity, mild minerality.
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| PRODUCTION CORRELATIONS |
| Oenological |
The regional identity is tourist over purist, as crowds of visitors along Highway 49's Gold Rush "Antique Row" persuade winemaking here to be user-friendly, often employing lavish oak.
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| Viticultural |
Good vine balance is easily achieved on limiting soils as long as water is carefully administered. |
| Terroir |
1500 foot elevation and shallow sandy gravel. Fog-free.
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