Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and Merlot (40%) from Renaissance Vineyard in the North Yuba AVA, Sierra Foothills. As Aaron and Cara Mockrish continue to understand the terroir and the expression of Cabernet's power and Merlot's elegance from North Yuba, they have moved away from whole-cluster fermentations and short macerations, and toward hand-destemming the fruit and employing a long maceration over several weeks, with very gentle punchdowns in small, open-top bins. The wine was pressed directly into old French oak barrels and aged on gross lees for five years, with monthly topping.
Because of the destemming and extended, oxidative élevage, the resulting tannin structure is still strikingly Renaissance, but relaxed enough to be enjoyed now. The increased proportion of Merlot is noticeable on the nose and palate, supporting the classic Renaissance Cabernet Sauvignon profile. Bottled with a minimal sulfur addition (22 ppm), unfined and unfiltered. 13.4% abv.