The Wines
2019 Clandestine (Mad Hat Exclusive)
56% Petit Verdot, 29% Malbec, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Violets, smoked brisket, Szechuan peppercorn, and sandalwood soar from the glass on this unrestrained blend. Flavors of blackberry, licorice, cinnamon and dark chocolate intermigle on the powerful mid-palate. Profound tannins introduce the stunningly long finish - a few years of bottle age will do wonders for this young wine.
Vineyard: 100% Estate – Adelaida District, Paso Robles.
Fermentation: Destemmed and cold soaked for 6 days with twice daily pump-overs. 8-day fermentation with a mix of deléstages, pump-overs and punchdowns for cap management. 14-day total maceration.
Cooperage and Elevage: Aged for 22 months in 225L French oak barriques: 100% new.
Alc: 14.6%
pH: 3.58
TA: 6.4 g/L
Bottling Date: 26 July 2021.
Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Cases Produced: 51
2019 Paradoxical (Mad Hat and Doff the Hat Exclusive)
61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Opens with brightly pitched aromas of pie cherries, incense, rolling tobacco and freshly baked gingerbread. The elegant palate offers flavors of raspberry, menthol, nutmeg and red currant that evolve into a silky mid-palate. The graceful finish is framed with supple tannins and precise acidity.
Vineyard: 100% Estate Adelaida District, Paso Robles.
Fermentation: Destemmed and cold soaked for 5 days with twice daily pump-overs. 9-day fermentation with a mix of deléstages, pump-overs and punchdowns for cap management. 14-day total maceration.
Cooperage and Elevage: Aged for 22 months in 225L French oak barriques: 33% new, 67% neutral.
Alc: 14.1%
pH: 3.47
TA: 6.7 g/L
Bottling Date: 26 July 2021. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Cases Produced: 78
