Vintage

The 2015 growing season in Napa Valley started out with unseasonably warm temperatures in late winter and early spring, which resulted in early bud break and bloom. A warm winter followed by colder temperatures in May resulted in a smaller crop than the previous three vintages. While drought was of great concern, the lack of water resulted in small grape clusters with highly concentrated flavors. This vintage will be remembered for its high-quality fruit, but low yields.

Vineyard

Our Family Estate Reserve vineyard, located on Ehlers Lane, consists of a stony, dry streambed and a knoll composed of thin gravelly soil over hard volcanic ash. Planted entirely to Cabernet Sauvignon, clone 337, these infertile soils produce low yields of grapes with concentrated flavors. To this we add our blending varietals, grown further south on our Ranch House Estate. Located on the valley floor just north of St. Helena on the Silverado Trail, it possesses well-drained, sandy, alluvial soils and is characterized by its ability to produce complex wines with well-defined fruit flavors, gentle acids and naturally balanced tannins.

Vinification

The Cabernet for the 2015 Titus Family Reserve was harvested on September 19th and 21st 2015.  The Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Titus Estate on Ehlers Ln which is a rocky hillside vineyard.  After the fruit was received at the winery it was destemmed directly to tank where it was fermented for 14 days.  After fermentation the free run wine was drained from tank and racked to barrel.  This wine was aged in 93% new French Oak barrels for 20 months before being racked to tank for bottling.  This wine was racked quarterly during the first year.

Technical Information:

Vineyard Manager:      Eric Titus

Winemaker:                 Stephen Cruzan

Appellation:                 Napa Valley

Harvest Date :             September 19, 2015

Blend:                          85% Cabernet

                                    8% Petit Verdot

                                    7% Malbec

Bottled:                        June 13th, 2017           

Cases Produced:          1089

Release:                      September 2017

Barrel Aging:               93% New French Oak

Alcohol:                       14.9%             

Total Acidity:             5.9

pH:                             3.77