Montemaggiore

Superiore is Montemaggiore's own special blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Every year the exact blend may vary slightly—the 2004 Superiore is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Syrah—but the synergy between our two varietals always produces a wonderful, age-worthy wine.

In the Vineyard

Located on a mountainside high above Dry Creek Valley, the rocky soils of our estate Cabernet and Syrah vineyards produce intensely flavored grapes at naturally low yields. Using sustainable practices and organic materials, we farm our estate vineyards without chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides.

Yields were pushed lower in 2004 due to the cold, wet, dark spring of 2003. Our regulated deficit irrigation practices caused the individual grapes to be much smaller thus even more intensely flavored. Given the smaller number of bunches with smaller berries in 2004, we were further rewarded with wonderfully mild and even summer temperatures—the harvest was our earliest on record. What a spectacular year!

In the Winery

We fermented each varietal separately with its own yeast to bring out the natural berry flavors of the Syrah and the spicy complexity of the Cabernet. The Cabernet underwent a short cold soak, 14-day fermentation, and 4-day extended maceration in stainless steel tanks. The Syrah underwent a short cold soak, 11-day fermentation, and no extended maceration. The wine was blended in May 2005 and bottled after aging for 24 months in French oak barrels.

On your Palate

The aroma of this wine conveys a classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah: juicy berries underpinned by complex spiciness. The succulent black cherry and cassis aromas develop on the smooth palate along with deep flavors of chocolate with floral tea accents. This wine carries the hallmarks of Montemaggiore: rich and mouth-filling yet elegant, with well-integrated oak and a long finish.

Montemaggiore Superiore will improve with time in your cellar. If opened within the first few years of release, we suggest you decant it for an hour or two before serving.

Technical Information

Varietal Blend 70% Cabernet
30% Syrah

Avg Sugar at Harvest 26.0° Brix

Alcohol 14.6%

Cases Produced 400

Optimum consumption 2007-2015

Cooperage 100% French

Percentage new oak 53%

Harvest Date September 2004

Bottling Date September 2006

Suggested Retail Price $40

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