2009 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Petit Verdot Monitor Ledge Vineyard
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Monitor Ledge is named for an outcropping of rock in the mountains overlooking the vineyard and has been an important component of Duckhorn Vineyards wine blends since 1985. Located on the alluvial fan of Selby Creek and featuring lean, well-draining soils that force the small berry-producing vines to struggle, Monitor Ledge benefits from excellent sun exposure that consistently produces ideal ripening. This unique wine displays exceptional intensity and structure alongside rich dark berry elements and complex barrel flavors.
Wine Profile
Production Notes
Varietal Content
80% Petit Verdot, 13% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon
Cooperage
100% French oak, Chateau-style barrels (60 gallons)
Barrel Aging: 18 months
Age of Barrels: 97% new, 3% second vintage
Winemaker Notes
Our warmer Monitor Ledge Vineyard is perfect for achieving ideal development in the late-ripening Petit Verdot grape. The 2009 vintage begins with pure, concentrated aromas of blackberry, cedar, coffee and eucalyptus. These elements continue on the palate, where dense, yet fully ripe tannins add to the wine’s juicy mouthfeel and rich finish.
Production
From our first Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc blocks to our final red-varietal Estate picks, our 2009 harvest spanned more than two months. Though the 2009 growing season presented certain challenges—from early shatter to late-season rain—a thoughtful response in the vineyards yielded smaller-than-normal crops of high-quality fruit. This response included aggressive leafing, an early thinning protocol and a heavy field sort to select only the most desirable grapes.
Other Notes
Release Date: September 2012
Wine Specs
Wine Specs
Vintage
2009
Varietal
Petit Verdot
Appellation
Napa Valley
Vineyard Designation
Monitor Ledge Vineyard
Harvest Date
September 4—October 27, 2009
Sugar
27.8° Brix
Acid
.61 g/100 ml titratable acidity
pH
3.67
Aging
18 months, 100% French oak, Chateau-style barrels
Fermentation
10-12 days fermentation at 80°F
Bottling Date
July 2011
Alcohol %
14.5
