"Our Cabernet is perhaps the most complex wine we make, and it is certainly the wine that takes the most time to reach its full expression before bottling. This vintage is no different, as the process began almost three years ago with bud break in March of 2018. We had a beautiful and consistent growing season at Shifflett Ranch, with no heat spikes and plenty of cool nights, combined with a warm summer and plenty of foggy mornings. After bringing in the fruit in early October, we gently processed the grapes with an extended maceration before aging in new French oak for 23 months. The result is an intensely aromatic wine with layers of red, black, and blue fruit. Already showing notes of cacao and cinnamon, we find that the 2018 has both more earth and more fruit than the 2017, and the longer growing season allowed for a more developed tannin structure and a more layered fruit profile. The wine is drinking great now, however, if you prefer an aged wine, we would absolutely recommend laying this one down in the cellar for 10-15 years." - Tarpon Cellars
