Yesterday we did a barrel tasting of the 2009 Vineyard 511 cabernet. The wine is aging in 7 French oak barrels at Folio Winemakers Studio. Wine from the core of the vineyard is being aged in 4 new barrels and 1 used barrel – more refined than the wine from the edge of the vineyard, it can stand up to the oak flavor imparted by a new barrel.
So, how is the wine tasting? The core vineyard cabernet is quite good – it has rich blackberry notes and is soft with very subtle tannins. The cabernet from the edge is also nice, though not as soft as the core wine.
Vineyard 511 cabernet aging in French oak.
Our winemaker, Rob Lloyd, siphons out some of the cab for us to taste.
Tasting wine from the vineyard edge stored in barrels once used by Raumbauer.
The 2010 pruning of Vineyard 511 occurred this past Thursday.
Pruning is an important process during which the dormant dry vines are cut back – this influences the size and form of the vines, making them better producers of high quality fruit.
Bud break at Vineyard 511 is expected to occur towards the end of March.
Pruners hard at work – pruning is considered to be both an art and a science.
Vineyard 511 prior to pruning…
…Vineyard 511 after pruning.
Vineyard 511 did its first barrel tasting just a few weeks ago (not including barrel tastings by the winemaker, that is). Here’s what my dad had to say….
We had our first barrel tasting about two weeks ago. Currently there are two batches: one from the core of the vineyard (4 barrels) and one from the edges (2 barrels). The core wine is really tasting well even though it has not finished malalactic fermentation and has a bit of sulfur smell yet. The alcohol level is 15.9% so it is a full bodied wine but very balanced so the tannins don’t over whelm. It should be a very drinkable wine even at a young age. The edge wine is not quite as good with a lower alcohol content and somewhat stronger tannins. We haven’t decide whether to blend the two and Rob will do some testing later.
We’ve started the process of looking for bottles, labels and closures.
This is so exciting! Jeff and I can’t wait to do a barrel tasting the next time we are in Napa.
As we approach the first barrel tasting of Vineyard 511′s 2009 harvest, I thought now would be a good time to introduce Vineyard 511′s winemaker, Robert Lloyd. After spending time as winemaker at Rombauer Vineyards and La Crema Winery, Rob started his own consulting company to “assist vineyard owners in creating the finest wines from their grapes.” And we are certainly hoping for some outstanding wine from 2009′s harvest.
Rob also has his own label (see below). We had the opportunity to try Rob’s Chardonnay this past Labor Day and it was quite good!
Harvest 2009
Harvest at Vineyard 511
Vineyard 511 was harvested this morning, October 1st, 2009.
This year’s harvest yielded 2.84 tons of cabernet sauvignon grapes which should produce 150 cases.
Thanks to everyone who helped harvest!
Welcome to the Vineyard 511 page of Travel & Eats!
Vineyard 511 (September 4th, 2009)
Vineyard 511 is our family vineyard – nestled between Reverie Winery and Diamond Creek Winery in the Diamond Mountain appellation. Vineyard 511 is unique because of the mountain terroir and limited production of handcrafted cabernet sauvignon. The vineyard was initially planted in 2001 and is now fully mature.
Vineyard511.com is currently under construction, but check back for more information once the site is up and running.