2013 Black Russian Red 36 Month Barrel Reserve - MAGNUM

McGregor Saperavi: America's first success with Saperavi. This wine is dark and gorgeous in the glass. Aromas of ripe blackberry, sweet coconut and black tea rise from the glass flow through to the palate and combine with suggestions of elderberry, cranberry and black currant.  The lingering finish is long and satisfying.

A total of 6.49 tons of estate grown Saperavi and Sereksiya Charni grapes were harvested by hand on October 11, 2013. They had 23 brix natural sugar, 1.02 TA and a 3.22 pH. The grapes were de-stemmed, crushed and inoculated with yeast. Fermentation lasted for nine days at 62-79 degrees and the must went through 100% malolactic fermentation. The must was then pressed and the wine was transferred into a combination of new and used American oak barrels.

After 36 months of aging, the wine was then transferred into stainless steel, egg white fined and cold stabilized. It was then filtered and bottled on January 25, 2017. The finished wine has 0.69 TA, a 3.60 pH, 0.75% residual sugar and 12.2% alcohol. 266 cases + 60 magnums produced.