Double Eagle combines two passions of David Grieve and Vance Rose: It is the rarest of golf shots, and the 2011 Double Eagle Red Wine is the fifth release of our evocative Bordeaux blend. We have traditionally produced three Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc) since our initial vintage in 2006 and have blended the best barrels of each varietal together to make our minimal quantities of Double Eagle. This year we also co-fermented some Petit Verdot with our usual Cabernet Franc for added depth, structure and color. The Cabernet Sauvignon contributes strength, tannin and cedar, the Merlot contributes the lovely dusty plum, and the Cabernet Franc brings beautiful violets and lavender.

2011 was the fourth consecutive cool vintage with a late, cold and wet spring followed by maddeningly slow ripening that was augmented with a few bursts of heat. Rain started in mid-September and was on-and-off through harvest in late October and early November. Fortunately, our sites are well drained and Bordeaux varietals are hearty. The rain caused us to hand sort in the vineyard and again upon arrival at the winery. The clusters were then destemmed, and the berries were sorted yet again for a third time.
Harvest Date (Cabernet Sauvignon): October 30
Harvest Date (Merlot): November 6
Harvest Date (Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot): November 9

Cold Soak: 4 days
Fermentation: Native yeast; 18-21 days; 2-3-day extended macerations and all-natural malolactic fermentations
Barrel Aging: 20 months in French oak (72% new, 28% 1-year-old); 60% medium-plus toast, 40% medium toast

The wine is amazingly deep in color with aromas and layers of flavors of cedar, caramelized anise, cassis, cocoa, sage and green olive. The wine is highly structured, as you would suspect from such a cool vintage, and shy at first, then expanding to a lovely full symphony of licorice, lavender and black currants.