Double Eagle combines two passions of David Grieve and Vance Rose: It is the rarest of golf shots, and the 2010 Double Eagle Red Wine is the fourth release of our evocative Bordeaux blend. Since the inaugural release in 2006, we have blended together the best barrels of each variety to create an absolutely stunning red wine. The Cabernet Sauvignon contributes strength, tannin and cedar; the Merlot contributes lovely plum characters; and the Cabernet Franc brings violets to the blend.

Lovall Valley: 2010 was the third consecutive cool vintage in Lovall Valley, with a late spring and maddeningly slow ripening that was augmented by a few bursts of heat. The cool weather resulted in small yields and berry size and low cluster weight, with our estate Merlot coming in at only one-half ton per acre. We hand-sorted in the vineyard and again at the winery; the grapes were then destemmed and sorted for a third time.
Harvest Date (Merlot): November 3

Napa Valley: Rainfall returned to the Napa Valley after three dry years, delaying budbreak, flowering and fruit-set by two weeks on average. Cooler-than-normal temperatures coupled with unexpected heat spikes in late August resulted in a late and shortened harvest with lower yields.
Harvest Date (Cabernet Sauvignon): October 31
Harvest Date (Cabernet Franc): November 14

Cold Soak: 4 days
Fermentation: Yeast cocktail, 21-day fermentation, 3-day extended maceration, natural malolactic fermentation
Aging: 19 months in 100% French oak (78% new, 22% one-year-old)

The wine is deep in color with aromas and flavors of sweet cedar, caramelized anise, cassis, sweet cocoa, sage and green olives. The wine bursts with fruit and the firm structure and generous mouthfeel make the wine drinkable now, but it will also develop for a number of years to come.