"The Tillerman" Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2017

HOOK & LADDER "THE TILLERMAN" ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON BLEND 2017 Los Amigos Ranch Chalk Hill Red Blend BLEND49% Cabernet Sauvignon26% Cabernet Franc24%Merlot1% Sangiovese THE VINEYARDS:Chalk Hill is an appellation with, generally, warmer days than in the rest of the Russian River Valley, with a variety of volcanic and alluvial soils across the western foothills of the Mayacamas range, rising 200 to 300 feet in elevation. Here, at our Los Amigos Ranch, just South of Healdsburg, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Sangiovese develop deep, bold flavors. THE GROWING SEASON:Coming off one of the wettest winters on record, the 2017 growing season soon normalized with bud break occurring later than that of the drought years. Throughout summer we saw numerous heat waves that sped the maturation of the vines, while a cooler August allowed our fruit to ripen more slowly and evenly leading up to the pick. THE WINEMAKING:With this blend, we strive for a boldly flavored, balanced,