This collector's edition is from the encore vintage of Aratas Wine. Grown on our vineyard in the Oak Knoll AVA, it was planted in 2001 to just 1.4ac of Petite with an additional + .2 acres grafted a couple years later. A cool spring and heavy rains in February nudged bud break into mid- April. Bloom occurred in May following late spring rains which pushed veraison into early August. An even warm up late in the month gave us a few welcome spikes of heat balanced by several courses of thinning which produced even clusters and a near perfect climax for harvest in mid- October.
This vineyard produced beautiful fruit that was held in a cold soak for 5 days before fermentation commenced on native yeast. Fermented in small open top tanks was done to protect the berries allowing for careful tannin management. Aging: 22 mos in Hungarian and French oak barrels then bottled unlined and unfiltered in August of 2011.
Winemaker Notes
"The 2009 Aratas is both massive and seductive_ At its core, it possesses an opaque purple-colored density, an excellent representation of a pure Petite Shah. It is tremendously perfumed, offering up scents of white flowers, licorice, cassis, blackberries and sweet dark roasted espresso. This is a dense, full-bodied and evolved wine that has the ability to age for decades. Drink or hold until 2027." MD
Accolades
92 Points~ Wine Spectator
"Appealingly dense and intense, with plenty of ripe and juicy wild blueberry and blackberry flavors, given traction by the firm tannins and notes of crushed rock, violet and tobacco spice. Powerful yet graceful. Drink now through 2024." Mary Ann Worobiec
"Top Phone Wines of California" and "Editors Pick"- Wine Spectatior
"DOUBLE GOLD" - 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
