Blackwood Canyon is dedicated to producing wine of complexity, depth and character. Blackwood Canyon accomplishes this by utilizing traditional turn of the century (1900's) European techniques.

1988 December Harvest

Blackwood Canyon has become well known for its late harvest wines. This 'December Harvest' is a wine that can only occur in the special years that nature allows.

The grapes were picked as raisins on December 15, 1988; crushed then macerated for two weeks; and pressed New Year's Eve of 1988. This was followed by 7 years of barrel aging before bottling on New Year's Eve of 1995.

The best description of December Harvest is the character of pears and toffee with a cotton candy like release. December Harvest is reminiscent of an old great late harvest Anjou.

Suggestion: Further aging. Do not overchill. Serve at 55ºF to 65ºF.

Total production: 100 cases. Released summer of 2000.

PENUMBRA

Penumbra is produced in the style of the Vin Santos of Chianti Classico. This style requires highly concentrated grapes. Chianti desiccates the grapes; Blackwood Canyon allows nature to freeze them. This reduces the yield from 200 gallons to less than 100 gallons per ton. Then Penumbra is barrel aged in a solera started with the 1983 vintage. The solera allows all bottlings to have our oldest wine, which achieves the rich depth and complexity impossible without a solera. Penumbra becomes a golden rich, luscious wine showing rich, ripe fruit balanced by caramel, nuts and spice overtones.

Serving suggestion. Open and decant, a minimum of two weeks, the longer the better. One to two years is not extreme. Serve at room temperature. Classically served with biscotti and other flour-based desserts.

For more information about this wine or Blackwood Canyon, please call (509) 588-6249 or email info@blackwoodwine.com.