Each vintage of Tribute is made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. The proportions or exact make up of these varietals changes with each vintage.
The easiest approach would be to make an Estate Cabernet year after year. But we don’t feel that would make the most interesting wine. Instead of forcing our agenda on the vineyard and eventually the wine, we let the estate dictate what the blend should be each year. Depending upon the growing conditions throughout the season, we might add more Cabernet Franc for structure or Merlot for lushness. With this philosophy we get the truest expression of vintage and our Sonoma Mountain estate.
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CABERNET SAUVIGNON:
is the backbone of the wine, provides structure and ageability
MERLOT:
fruit character, plushness, fills in mouthfeel, softens the wine
CABERNET FRANC:
vegetative notes, adds complexity, rounds out sharp qualities
PETIT VERDOT:
adds color, fleshy qualities, dark berry elements
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