2022 Franky G - Red Blend

This wine underwent slow fermentation in stainless steel open-top tanks. It was aged for 21 months in a combination of 50% new French oak and the remainder in second and third-use French oak barriques. Thirty percent of the fruit was vinified as whole berries, with the remainder destemmed and crushed, in order to retain carbonic freshness sensory characteristics. Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested and incorporated into the blend post-fermentation in three distinct stages: firstly, at 21.4 degrees Brix indicating under-ripeness; secondly, at 24 degrees Brix signifying optimal ripeness; and thirdly, at 26.5 degrees Brix denoting over-ripeness. Malbec was harvested at 23.5 degrees Brix, exhibiting ideal acidity and phenolic ripeness. These deliberate harvesting strategies, along with meticulous canopy management, included fruit thinning to 2.5 tons per acre at veraison, retaining only a single cluster per fruitful shoot.