2018 Grand Rouge

Appellation: Temecula Valley

Alcohol: 13.5%

Residual Sugar: 0.2%

Oak: Aged 20 months American Oak, 33% new

Composition: 85% La Cresta Cab Sauv, 15% Sage Cab Franc

Tasting Notes:

Chateau Grand Rouge is a magnificent blend showcasing Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc fruit sourced exclusively from our best vineyard properties. This flagship blend uses our highest quality grapes exhibiting great elegance and intensity. The inviting and complex nose offers aromas of ripe dark fruit, spices, and cedar. The palate is elegant with supple tannins, and a long finish that is fruit driven and peppery. It is a wine that improves year after year and can age for over 10 years in the cellar.

Winemaker’s Notes:

Our 2018 Grand Rouge follows the same tradition of being a Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc blend, aged in American oak. The Cabernet Sauvignon comes from our Kriel and Lund vineyards, with the Cabernet Franc coming from our Sage vineyard.  As with the 2017, we decided to go "Cabernet Sauvignon dominant" with the final blend, giving the wine more body, and age worthy tannin.  We paid extra close attention to ripening for this vintage, making sure the grapes didn't raisin at all on the vine, giving this wine slightly lower alcohol than previous years, yet much less oxidative notes, allowing the wine to age more gracefully in the cellar. 

Food Pairing Ideas:

Grilled premium cuts of beef, osso bucco, briased short ribs