2022 Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2023 vintage was our very first vintage of being able to make our Kelseyville AVA Cabernet Sauvignon at our own facility, which is exciting because it allowed us to control fermentation and aging much more than ever before. New 1200 and 1500 gallon French Oak Foudres were used for aging, and this allowed us to get the benefit of oak aging without a strong oak flavor influence. The aromatics on this Cabernet are really pretty and full of finesse. Delicate aromas of fresh roses, graphite, red plums and blackberries are supported with subtle hints of toffee, fresh cardamom, and cinnamon. There isn't a trace of heaviness in this wine, but it still exudes complexity of flavor with very present acidity and fine tannins. This may just be our best Dancing Crow Cabernet yet. - Winemaker Scott Kirkpatrick

Harvest involved a combination of nighttime hand picking and some mechanical harvesting, all of which began at midnight to ensure optimal freshness.  Once at the winery the grapes underwent a relatively cool fermentation to enhance aromatic qualities and our desired fruit characteristics. Malolactic fermentation was conducted with neutral French oak to foster flavor integration between the dark cherry and ripe fruit flavors while looking to achieve optimal balance between the tannins and ideal acidity.

The Kelsey Bench AVA, formed by a pyroclastic flow over 10,000 years ago, serves as a transitional zone between the volcanic Mayacamas Mountains and the alluvial Clear Lake basin. This geographical positioning results in vineyard soils that exhibit a combination of mildly rocky, red volcanic components and alluvial loams. Positioned at an elevation ranging from 1,350 to 1,450 feet, the vineyard experiences significant diurnal temperature variations of 50°F, influenced by the nearby lake and mountains. This temperature fluctuation contributes to the development of wines with pronounced acidity, refined tannin structure, and robust, intricate fruit profiles.