TASTING NOTES
The 2018 Transcendent by Black Stallion Estate is a wine of true depth and sophistication. It showcases captivating aromas of cigar box, raspberry, black plum, and cocoa powder. On the palate, one can savor flavors of black cherry, graphite, and a delightful interplay of juicy acidity. This full-bodied wine boasts the unique essence of “Rutherford dust,” complemented by its silky tannins and an enduring, satisfying finish.
WINEMAKING
At Black Stallion Estate, crafting the 2018 Transcendent Cabernet involves a meticulous – some might even say obsessive – pursuit of perfection at every stage. The grapes are sourced from a carefully chosen selection of our favorite vineyard blocks. As soon as the grapes achieve their ideal ripeness, they are hand-harvested during the early dawn hours. This method ensures the preservation of the fruit’s delicate flavors and maintains an optimal temperature for the grapes.
Upon arrival at the winery, the fruit undergoes a meticulous hand-sorting process before being destemmed into small fermentation tanks. A few days of cold soaking are employed before gently warming the must and introducing yeast to initiate fermentation. Throughout the 14-21 day fermentation period, the technique of ‘pump-over’ is repeatedly performed to maximize the extraction of fruit flavor, color, and tannins from the grape skins.
Following this, the free run wine is allowed to flow naturally by gravity from the skins into the barrel. Gentle pressing of the skins takes place, and the wine is transferred to barrels to mature individually. Over the course of 18 months in barrel, the wines develop their distinctive characteristics before the blending process begins in preparation for bottling.
During this aging period, periodic tastings assess the quality of each lot. The finest barrels are earmarked as potential components for the creation of Transcendent. The final blend is the culmination of numerous rounds of blind tastings and trial blends, a testament to the dedication and anticipation invested for over four years.
WINEMAKING
At Black Stallion Estate, crafting the 2018 Transcendent Cabernet involves a meticulous – some might even say obsessive – pursuit of perfection at every stage. The grapes are sourced from a carefully chosen selection of our favorite vineyard blocks. As soon as the grapes achieve their ideal ripeness, they are hand-harvested during the early dawn hours. This method ensures the preservation of the fruit’s delicate flavors and maintains an optimal temperature for the grapes.
Upon arrival at the winery, the fruit undergoes a meticulous hand-sorting process before being destemmed into small fermentation tanks. A few days of cold soaking are employed before gently warming the must and introducing yeast to initiate fermentation. Throughout the 14-21 day fermentation period, the technique of ‘pump-over’ is repeatedly performed to maximize the extraction of fruit flavor, color, and tannins from the grape skins.
Following this, the free-run wine is allowed to flow naturally by gravity from the skins into the barrel. Gentle pressing of the skins takes place, and the wine is transferred to barrels to mature individually. Over the course of 18 months in the barrel, the wines develop their distinctive characteristics before the blending process begins in preparation for bottling.
During this aging period, periodic tastings assess the quality of each lot. The finest barrels are earmarked as potential components for the creation of Transcendent. The final blend is the culmination of numerous rounds of blind tastings and trial blends, a testament to the dedication and anticipation invested for over four years.
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