2014 Earth Cuckoo
Wine Specs
Vintage
2014
Varietal
Blend - red
Vineyard Designation
Cimarron Vineyard and Buhl Memorial Vineyard
Harvest Date
August 23, 29 & Sept 3
Sugar
25
Acid
6.1 g/L
pH
3.81
Aging
Aged 14 months in 25% Hungarian oak. Thrice racked. Filtered, but un-fined.
Alcohol %
14.5
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
We wound up with a few Spanish varietals in our cellar during the 2014 vintage and were compelled to give a nod to the amazing wines of Rioja. We chose the first cut from each lot to create a special wine; more complex than any of the individual components. The dark, rich core of Tempranillo is accented with the bright red fruit and spice of the Grenache. The touch of Graciano adds acidity, spicy plum character and fine tannins. Our first year making Earth Cuckoo won’t be the last.
Vineyard Notes
62% Tempranillo from Cimarron Vineyard. Cochise County, AZ. 4,300 ft. elevation. Harvested Aug. 29th - 25% Grenache from Buhl Memorial Vineyard. Cochise County, AZ. 4,300 ft. elevation. Harvested Aug. 23rd - 13% Graciano from Cimarron Vineyard. Cochise County, AZ. 4,300 ft. elevation Harvested Sept. 3rd - Sugar at harvest: 25.0 Brix average
Production Notes
Destemmed, but not crushed to open top 3⁄4-ton bins. Tempranillo was left ~20% whole-cluster. Cold-soaked 24 hours, then inoculated with specially selected yeasts (D80, BRL97, T73, VRB, Rhone2056). Hand punched 3-4 times daily. Inoculated with Malolactic bacteria (Alpha) around 7 Brix. Pressed at dryness after 11 days average skin contact. Settled 4-5 days average before barreling.
Production
96 cases
Other Notes
Drink now or cellar 6+ years