2012 Illuminatus Sangiovese Reserve
Paso Robles, California
75 Cases Produced
Editor’s Choice, 93 Points – Wine Enthusiast
Vineyard Notes:
Hidden Valley Vineyard is our estate vineyard, located in the Templeton gap area of Paso Robles’ Westside. The sloping terrain drains rapidly and the vines enjoy long warm days and cool nights throughout the growing season. The mature, cane pruned vines produce low yields of intense and expressive fruit.
Winemaker Notes:The 2012 Illuminatus Reserve is perhaps our favorite sangiovese vintage so far. The 2012 growing season was almost ideal in most respects and the estate fruit was of particularly high quality. The early part of the season was cool and dry. A heat wave just ahead of veraison stressed the vines, keeping the cluster sizes in check and concentrating the flavors and aromas. The grapes were harvested on November 2, 2012 and barrel aged in French oak for 18 months. This wine is bold and textural, exhibiting mouthwatering cherry, plum and spice notes.14.9% Alcohol by Volume