While in tank, we splash and rack the wine one to two times in the first
month after malolactic-fermentation to introduce oxygen in an effort to
begin the ageing process as soon as possible. Once in barrel, the wine is
racked eight or nine times over the two years.
Immediately after fermentation, we usually have 10 or so lots from various
parts of the vineyards. These lots are blended over the next two years as
their nature is revealed. Lots more approachable young are used to produce Laurel Glen Counterpoint; richer and more age-worthy lots are separated out for Laurel
Glen Vineyard. We use an air-driven, very gentle pump to transfer wine to
tanks for blending.
Wine is kept in barrels 18 to 36 months, depending on the vintage conditions. We use 50 to 60 percent new Taransaud French oak barrels for Laurel Glen Vineyard and about 30 percent new oak barrels for Laurel Glen Counterpoint Cabernet Sauvignon.
