Cabernet Sauvignon, Défi de La Tour, Collio DOC – 2012
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Introduction
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“Défi” means “challenge” — Villa Russiz produces this powerful Cabernet Sauvignon only in the best vintages, when nature allows.
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Vineyard Profile
- Vineyards: 25-year-old vineyards on a south and south-west-facing hillside
- Grape Source: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Appellation: Collio DOC
- Viticulture: Sustainable
- Soil: Sandstone and marl locally knows as “ponca” with a huge quantity of iron sediment gives the soil a red color
- Density: 5,000 vines/hectare (2,025 vines/acre)
- Training: Spurred cordon
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Vintage Report
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An unusually hot and dry summer created optimal weather conditions. This gave way to perfect quality in grape maturation up to the harvest date of October 20.
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Vinification
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Perfectly ripened grapes are hand-harvested. The bunches are quickly moved to the cellar where grapes are destemmed and left to ferment and macerate for 20 days. After racking, the wine is matured in 225L (60 gallon) French oak casks (50% new oak and 50% used) for 36 months. It is then blended in stainless-steel vats for 5 months and finally matures for 12 months or more in the bottle.
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Technical Information
- Alcohol: 14.3%
- TA: 5.7 g/L
- p H: 3.54
- RS: 0.5 g/L
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Tasting Notes
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Intense ruby-red. Broad and mouth-filling on the palate with rich, soft tannins and great intensity of flavor; tobacco, smoky flavors, chocolate, black pepper and underwood .
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