MICHAEL KEENAN CHECKING
THE CABERNETIN THE SPRING 2002
NILS AND MICHAEL
DISCUSS THE MATURITY OF THE FRUIT FLAVORS
MATT, NILS AND MICHAEL CHECKING "BIG CAB FIELD"
MAILBOX VINEYARD AT THE ENTRANCE TO
KEENAN WINERY
"UPPER BOWL CLONE 7 CABERNET" |
MOUNTAIN
GROWN
June is a beautiful
time of year at Keenan's Spring Mountain District Estate. The buckeye
trees are blooming, the vineyards are full of lush green vines, and California
poppies dot the hillsides with bright orange puffs of color. In addition
to being a striking area, the vineyards of Spring Mountain District produce
some of the highest quality winegrapes in the Napa Valley.
Keenan's Estate vineyards rise up to approximately 2000 feet elevation
and drop below the winery to 1400 feet. This high elevation setting keeps
the daytime temperatures eight to ten degrees cooler, saving the vines
from the scorching one-hundred plus temperatures to which vines on the
valley floor are subjected. Additionally, the vineyards are situated above
the dense layer of fog that creeps up the Napa Valley most evenings. Consequently
the vines warm up earlier in the morning and stay warm through the night.
In essence, the vines are subjected to a twenty-four hour period of perfect
growing temperature. This allows the grapes to mature fully, even in years
with relatively cool growing seasons.
Forty-eight acres of grapevines have been planted in the well-drained
soils surrounding the winery. The soils are of volcanic origin and maintain
a good amount of the nutrients and minerals necessary for healthy vines.
But the soils are gravelly and don't hold on to much of the winter rains
that saturate the soils. This combination of sufficient nutrients, but
minimal available water balances the vines, giving them the endurance
to struggle through the summer without over producing the grape crop.
Long, warm days combined with gravelly, well-drained soils assure mature
fruit yet add more stress to the vines leading to increased intensity
in the finished wine. Just pour yourself a glass of Keenan Reserve Merlot
and you'll see the difference-deep, inky color, concentrated aromas and
immense structure... all of the things a mountain grown wine should possess.
--Matt
Gardner |
