F-86

The Aircraft:  F-86
"In 1949, Rudy van Dyke and I began dives from 46,000 feet to test prolonged supersonic flight.  Soon local newspapers reported mysterious explosions.  One day Ames' Director, Smitty DeFrance heard one and called Flight Operations.  Yes, he learned, the F-86 was making a supersonic dive when the explosion occurred.  Thus, Ames was first to recognize the sonic boom, and when supersonic flight was measured in 30-second flights, Rudy and I had more than anyone." GEC

Test the Wine.  Taste the Difference

Technical Specs:

The Wine

This wine is made from five of our estate vineyards: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Merlot, all aged in French Oak for 22 months and blended during the second year.

The vintage pours a deep garnet in the glass. The bouquet is blackberries, plums, and blueberries. On the palate, a mélange of berries edged with cassis. Notes of softly tanned leather and a hint of cedar along the way. The finish lingers… and invites another sip. Enjoy with fine meats and lush chocolate!

Fermentation and Aging

The grapes were picked by hand in multiple lots, destemmed, and fermented in small lots with hand punch down four times a day. After pressing, the wine went through malolactic fermentation and 22 months of barrel aging. The final blend was made in March 2005, and 100 cases were bottled August 2005.

The Vineyards

The oldest, George's, is 2 acres established in 1972 with cuttings from the original Paul Masson vineyards, which Martin Ray owned in the 1930's and 1940's. Next are five acres of Cabernet Franc vines which date back to the original stock brought to our “Chaine d’Or” The oldest, George's, is 2 acres established in 1972 with cuttings from the original Paul Masson vineyards, which Martin Ray owned in the 1930's and 1940's. Next are five acres of Cabernet Franc vines which date back to the original stock brought to our “Chaine d’Or” region by French grape expert Pierre C. Pourroy around the turn of the century. Our vines were planted in 1985 with cuttings from what was then Congress Springs Vineyards. Then are two, more recent Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards: 3 acres of Valley View planted in 1989 and 6 acres of Lone Oak planted in 1991. Finishing the blend is one acre of Merlot planted in 1998

Vintage

The season was wetter than normal by 23%, with 36 inches for the season: 24" in November in December, with less than 4" in January and February, led into an early spring and budbreak. A cold and wet April, however, delayed budbreak and fruitset, but the weather turned hot in September and we began harvest in mid-September.