Wine Facts

Vintage: 2005
Appellation: Suisun Valley, California
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Ageing: 12 months in a mix of small French, East European oak barrels
Brix at Harvest: 25.9
Alcohol: 13.9
PH: 3.7
TA (titratable acidity): 5.7 ml/l
Producer: Mankas Hills Vineyards
UPC Code: 894390000128

Harvest and Crush Notes

For California and especially Suisun Valley, 2005 was a year of bountiful production. Extensive fruit thinning was applied to the miniterroirs of our vineyards to produce only the best grapes. The harvest came late in October after dry but rather cool days. The selection of Merlot grapes in this second release of the Amelie were harvested on October 15th while the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were harvested on November 1st when flavor and polyphenolic maturity were at their peak. As usual the grapes were hand picked in the cool morning and delivered to the winery in small bins and immediately de-stemmed and crushed. After a 48 hour cold soak, specialized yeasts from the Consorzio del Vino di Brunello di Montalcino and the Barolo region in Piedmont, Italy were used to create an intense fermentation. Optimal extraction of color and texture was achieved with maceration. Following a gentle pressing the wine aged for 12 months in a mix of French and East Europe barrels from the best coopers. The Cabernet and Merlot were then blended in the traditional Bordeaux proportions to produce this exquisite wine.

Winemaker's Comments

Elegance and the richness of full fruit characterize this 2005 release of the Amelie. Soft aromas of vanilla and oak along with lively ripe blackberry and mocha give way to full flavors of cassis, ripe plums, and a brambly fruit. As the wine undresses it reveals its silky elegance of black cherry and it’s joyful character. The traditional blend of Merlot and Cabernet creates a lively mouth texture dissolving the complex tannins into a graceful long finish.

Accolades

• Critics Platinum Award at the 2008 Critics Challenge
• Silver Medal at the 2008 Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition
• Bronze Medal at the 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition