2018 Ashes & Diamonds " Bates Ranch" Mountain Cuvée No. 3, Santa Cruz Mountain, California, USAABOUT THIS WINE ASHES & DIAMONDS Mountain Cuve Bates Ranch is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from the historic, four generation old Bates Ranch near Mount Madonna, in the southern end of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The Cabernet Sauvignon grows at a peak altitude of 2,100 feet and an extreme southeast slope of 30%. A few hundred feet below, the old vine Cabernet Franc, planted in 1972, is dry farmed in well drained silt soils with

without mentioning Fleurie

rich flavors

All grapes are harvested by hand and sorting is done directly in the vineyard

The first being

50% Chardonnay (1/3 of Chardonnay muscaté)

Not far from Thoronet Abbey

Blend: 79% Cabernet

Russo also makes an Etna Rosato from Nerello Mascalese and an Etna Bianco from Carricante

It was a moment of serendipity for the abandoned vineyards and the Leflaive-Jacques family

a meticulous mushroom called "Botrytis Cinerea" appears and transforms the grapes

100% de-stemmed

Fermentation and elevage in stainless steel