By Fleury Estate
2016 'Passionne' Napa Valley

Wine Details
Sourced from vineyards owned and purchased by Fleury Estate, the 'Passionne' is a Bordeaux-style wine of distinction. The Fleury Estate 'Passionne' is a harmonious blend, highlighting the king of all grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon. A beautiful dark color sets the stage - blending varietals at select percentages combines a deep, full core and nuanced notes in a wonderful, enticing medley. Layers of dark fruit, mocha, spices, and stunning intensity complement a silky and elegant palate.

Vintage Notes
The near-perfect 2016 growing season began early and saw ideal weather conditions throughout. In part due to a relatively steady, mild July and August, followed by a series of warm days at the end of the growing season, our vineyards achieved perfect ripeness. Veraison came early, accompanied by a few heat spells. Fortunately, these heat spells were followed by periods of cool weather, allowing the vines to recuperate and preserve the great aromatic precursors in the fruit. Berry size was moderate, and the overall fruit condition was good, yielding wines that are deep, layered, and refined.

Winemaking Notes
Hand-harvested and picked at night. Hand-sorted while still cold from the field. Fermented in small, closed-top stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts. Five-day cold soak with 24 to 32 days of total maceration. Gentle pump-overs and delestage. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrels.

Technical Details
Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot
Aging: 22 months in 75% new French oak barrels from select artisan coopers
Filtering: Bottled unfined and unfiltered

Tasting Notes
A deep garnet red, the 2016 Passionne is restrained, elegant, and powerful all at once. Showcasing the exemplary and stunning vintage, the aromas are filled with notes of forest berries, black currant, jam, rose petals, and chocolate. A medium to full-bodied palate is outlined with vibrance and depth. Generous flavors of black cherry, dark plum, earthy chocolate, and savory notes are complemented by fine-grained tannins and a lively finish.
[Information provided by Matador Vino]