Release Date: September 2009
The Site - The Ghielmetti Vineyard encompasses 64.86 acres of vines and is located 3.4 miles east of our Tesla Road Barrel Room. Planted to 11 different grapes on 20 distinct blocks, this topographically varied vineyard has become one of the finest sites in the Livermore Valley for Cabernet Sauvignon. Indeed, of 64.86 acres, the 18.07 planted to five different clones of Cabernet reveal both our commitment to the varietal and our sense of the potential quality of the vineyard. A mixture of soils ranging from fine sandy loam at the western edge of the site to clay intrusions uphill to the east have been matched to the specific characteristics of each clone, maximizing the potential for world class quality.
The Block - Block 1B is a North-South oriented block comprising 3.45 acres. Planted on a spacing grid of 7’ feet between rows and 6’ feet between vines, the block contains 42 rows and 3,620 vines. The Ghielmetti Vineyard contains six distinct soil types; Block 1B is a mix of Clear Lake clay in the northern-most part of the block and Linne clay loam making up most of the block. Clear Lake clay is a moderately well-drained soil type (containing clay from sedimentary alluvial soils up to 65 inches in depth) and Linne clay loam is weathered sandstone and shale (clay loam from 0 to 36 inches in depth and weathered bedrock from 36 to 40 inches). Together these two soils make up roughly 68.1%% of Ghielmetti Vineyard. This vineyard block is pruned specifically for world-class quality fruit; only 1 bunch per cane significantly lowers the yields, helping to maximize ripeness and flavor. Other details:
• Size: 3.45 acres • Rootstock: 101-14 • Spacing: 7’ x 6’
• Vines: 1,049/acre • Orientation: N-S • Yield: >3 tons/acre
The Clone - A vine clone is a specimen of plant material chosen for specific characteristics. Over the course of time, a vine may show desirable characteristics that the grower wants to propagate to other vineyard sites. The cuttings from this vine have the identical genetic makeup of the “mother” vine and can, depending upon the new sites, display many of the desired traits. Clone 191 is one of a series of exceptional clones brought over from France in the last 30 years of so. Similar to the clones of Pinot Noir brought from Dijon these numbered clones have been certified by ENTAV (a French viticultural department) for their quality. Slightly larger in bunch size than clone 4, clone 191 contributes dense fruit and great color.
The Barrels- Only three barrels were found to offer the world-class quality characteristics we wanted for this wine. They are:
Desig. 06-006 Desig. 06-178 Desig. 03-066
Cooper : François
Frères Boswell Quintessence
Country : France American France
Forest : Allier
Toast Level : Medium Medium Medium +
Barrel Heads: Toasted Toasted Toasted
The Wine- The Cabernet Sauvignon – Ghielmetti Vineyard, Clone 191 displays cassis, coffee, and mocha notes and has a vibrancy of aromas that is mirrored in the heft and viscosity of its mid-palate. In the mouth, the wine shows a great silkiness and density, and its significant tannins fan out broadly from mid-palate to finish. The Ghielmetti Vineyard, Clone 191 has all the hallmarks of world-class Cabernet in its angular, tannic structure and lengthy persistence of finish. While drinkable in the near term, especially when paired with a substantial meat course, this wine’s joys will be revealed fully over the course of the next 10-15 years. Only 192 three-packs were produced.
