Small Lots One 2017

BLEND: 71.5% Cabernet Franc, 14.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot

FLAVOUR PROFILE
• Bright garnet in colour with an ever-changing bouquet of sweet pipe tobacco, vanilla extract, roasted coffee bean, dark plum, black cherry, sweet spice and oak.
• This full-bodied wine has firm drying tannins, great structure and rich fruit flavours.
•  Rich fruit flavours blackberry and black cherry mingle with spice, oak, black tea and cocoa notes.
•  Notes of black tea, black currant, cocoa powder and spicy oak linger on the extra-dry finish.
•  While still young, enjoy with medium rare red meats including lamb and beef, or a cheese platter which includes three to five-year-old Canadian cheddar and other hard aged cheeses; after a few years in the cellar (2022 and beyond) enjoy with hearty winter stews, braised meats, roasted leg of lamb, or 70% dark chocolate. Decanting is recommended if drinking now through 2021.

GROWING CONDITIONS
A cool, wet spring gave way to a late start to the growing season, which led directly into a hot summer with a record breaking dry spell. This accelerated the ripening, bringing the fruit back on track. September brought cooler weather, slowing the ripening and allowing a good window for picking. This resulted in wines that are more balanced with lower alcohols and higher natural acidity. Overall, the 2017 vintage was lower in heat units than 2016 but still higher than average.

“We call this wine Sandhill One because it was the first of our Bordeaux style blends made. The Vanessa Vineyard showcased rich, riper fruit expressions in the 2017 vintage; our legendary ‘One’ has a higher proportion of Cabernet Franc in 2017, adding more complex aromatics, to complement the dark fruit and structure of this wine.”
 - Sandy Leier, Winemaker