Hilltop J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, 2007

From the high point of our Paso Robles vineyards, one can view a panorama of protective hills and ranges, a position befitting our J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon. We planted Clone 8 Cabernet Sauvignon on its own roots in 1989, amidst Arbuckle-San Ysidro complex fine loam soil with some calcareous clay layers underneath. The tiny berried fruit is picked mid-morning, then sorted by individual berry before being crushed into small stainless steel fermenters, and given 48 hours of skin contact. During fermentation, a combination of punch-downs and gentle pumpovers ensures an appropriate balance of extraction of color, flavor and fragrance. The wine is then pressed and undergoes malolactic fermentation before it is blended and racked into new and second-fill French oak barrels for 18-24 months of aging. Lastly, it is fined and bottled, yielding a wine which is aromatically pleasing, with deliciously intense flavors of black cherry, blackberry and toasted vanilla. Alc 14.9% by vol. Produced at Paso Robles, CA and Bottled at San Jose, CA by J. Lohr Winery.